Metal/ceramic composite heat pipes for a low-mass, intrinsically-hard 875 K radiator. [Ti]

Conference · Thu Jan 10 00:00:00 EST 1991 · AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.40111· OSTI ID:5275131

Rosenfeld, J H; Ernst, D M ^[1]; Nardone, V C ^[2]

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1. Thermacore, Inc., 780 Eden Road, Lancaster, Pennsylvania (USA)
2. United Technologies Research Center, Silver Lane, MS 13, East Hartford, Connecticut (USA)

Thermacore, Inc. of Lancaster, Pennsylvania has recently completed Phase I of a development program to investigate the use of layered metal/ceramic composites in the design of low-mass hardened radiators for space heat rejection systems. This effort evaluated the use of layered composites as a material to form thin-walled, vacuum leaktight heat pipes. The heat pipes would be incorporated into a large heat pipe radiator for waste heat rejection from a space nuclear power source. This approach forms an attractive alternative to carbon/carbon, or silicon-carbide fiber reinforced metal heat pipes by offering a combination of low mass and improved fabricability. Thermacore and United Technologies Research Center have jointly developed an approach for fabrication of layered composite thin-walled heat pipes for use in hardened space radiators. Potassium heat pipes with wall thicknesses as low a 0.3 mm have been built and tested. Wall thicknesses as low as 0.13 mm are believed to be achievable with this approach.

• OSTI ID: 5275131
• Report Number(s): CONF-910116-; CODEN: APCPC
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States), Vol. 217:3; Conference: 8. symposium on space nuclear power systems, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 6-10 Jan 1991; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
RADIATORS
FABRICATION
CERAMICS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
REFRACTORY METALS
SPACE POWER REACTORS
TITANIUM ALLOYS
WASTE HEAT
ALLOYS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY
HEAT
HEAT EXCHANGERS
MATERIALS
METALS
MOBILE REACTORS
POWER REACTORS
REACTORS
WASTES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
420200* - Engineering- Facilities
Equipment
& Techniques