Initial characterization of a modular heat exchanger with an integral heat pipe

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5551392

Schreiber, J G

As part of the Civil Space Technology Initiative (CSTI) Advanced Technology program, a conceptual design of the Stirling space engine (SSE) was generated. The overall goal of the CSTI high capacity power element is to develop the technology base needed to meet the long duration, high capacity power requirements for future NASA space missions. The free-piston Stirling engine (FPSE) was chosen as the growth option in the CSTI program. A major goal during the conceptual design of the SSE was to reduce the number of critical joints. One area of concern was the heat exchanger assemblies that typically have the majority of critical joints. The solution proposed in the SSE conceptual design used 40 modular heat exchangers. Each module has its own integral heat pipe to transport heat from the heat source to the engine. A demonstration of the modular concept was undertaken before committing to the detailed design of the SSE heat exchangers. An existing FPSE was modified as a test bed for modular heat exchanger evaluation. The engine incorporated three heat exchanger modules, each having a sodium filled heat pipe. The thermal loading of these modules was intended to be similar to the conditions projected for the SSE modules. The engine was assembled and tests are underway. The design and fabrication of the heat exchanger modules and the engine used for these tests were described. Evaluation of the individual heat pipes before installation in the engine is described. The initial test results with the modules in operation on the engine were presented. Future tests involving the engine were outlined.

• Research Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, OH (USA). Lewis Research Center
• OSTI ID: 5551392
• Report Number(s): N-89-25078; NASA-TM--102097; E--4859; NAS--1.15:102097; CONF-890815--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420400* -- Engineering-- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow
DESIGN
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
HEAT ENGINES
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT PIPES
POWER SUPPLIES
SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLIES
STIRLING ENGINES
STRESSES
THERMAL STRESSES