| Popis: |
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. |
