Due to the compact and modular nature of CubeSats, thermal management has become a major bottleneck in system design and performance. In this study, we outline the development, initial testing, and modeling of a flat, conformable, lightweight, and efficient two-phase heat strap called FlexCool, currently being developed at Roccor. Using acetone as the working fluid, the heat strap has an average effective thermal conductivity of 2149 W/m K, which is approximately five times greater than the thermal conductivity of pure copper. Moreover, the heat strap has a total thickness of only 0.86 mm and is able to withstand internal vapor pressures as high as 930 kPa, demonstrating the suitability of the heat strap for orbital environments where pressure differences can be large. A reduced-order, closed-form theoretical model has been developed in order to predict the maximum heat load achieved by the heat strap for different design and operating parameters. The model is validated using experimental measurements and is used here in combination with a genetic algorithm to optimize the design of the heat strap with respect to maximizing heat transport capability.
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June 2017
Research-Article
Experimental Development and Computational Optimization of Flat Heat Pipes for CubeSat Applications
Steven A. Isaacs,
Steven A. Isaacs
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Colorado,
Boulder, CO 80309
e-mail: steven.isaacs@colorado.edu
University of Colorado,
Boulder, CO 80309
e-mail: steven.isaacs@colorado.edu
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Peter E. Hamlington
Peter E. Hamlington
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Colorado,
Boulder, CO 80309
e-mail: peter.hamlington@colorado.edu
University of Colorado,
Boulder, CO 80309
e-mail: peter.hamlington@colorado.edu
Search for other works by this author on:
Steven A. Isaacs
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Colorado,
Boulder, CO 80309
e-mail: steven.isaacs@colorado.edu
University of Colorado,
Boulder, CO 80309
e-mail: steven.isaacs@colorado.edu
Diego A. Arias
Derek Hengeveld
Peter E. Hamlington
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Colorado,
Boulder, CO 80309
e-mail: peter.hamlington@colorado.edu
University of Colorado,
Boulder, CO 80309
e-mail: peter.hamlington@colorado.edu
Contributed by the Electronic and Photonic Packaging Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF ELECTRONIC PACKAGING. Manuscript received December 16, 2016; final manuscript received March 28, 2017; published online June 12, 2017. Assoc. Editor: Justin A. Weibel.
J. Electron. Packag. Jun 2017, 139(2): 020910 (10 pages)
Published Online: June 12, 2017
Article history
Received:
December 16, 2016
Revised:
March 28, 2017
Citation
Isaacs, S. A., Arias, D. A., Hengeveld, D., and Hamlington, P. E. (June 12, 2017). "Experimental Development and Computational Optimization of Flat Heat Pipes for CubeSat Applications." ASME. J. Electron. Packag. June 2017; 139(2): 020910. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4036406
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