Launch Vehicle Avionics Passive Thermal Management

Date

2014-07-13

Journal Title

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Publisher

44th International Conference on Environmental Systems

Abstract

A passive thermal management system was designed to cool avionics on a launch vehicle for 3 different thermal modes. Prior to launch, the heat sink for the avionics is purge duct flow. During the 10 minute launch period, the thermal energy is stored in phase change material (PCM). On orbit, the heat sink is a radiator. The system consists of 1. A high conductivity thermal shelf, 2. A PCM thermal storage system, 3. Heat pipes to conduct the heat from the shelf to the heat sinks, 4. Fins to reject the heat to the purge duct, and 5. A radiator to reject the heat on orbit. A unique aspect of the system design is the avionics shelf, which contains embedded heat pipes. While the electronics locations are fixed before manufacturing with encapsulated high conductivity material, this design allows the avionics boxes to be positioned anywhere. A second benefit is the much higher thermal effective thermal conductivity, which can approach 2500 W/m K in long systems. A low-cost, simplified version of the system to fabricated to verify the design during ground testing, consisting of the high conductivity plate, the heat pipe, and the purge duct sink. The general performance matched expectations, except that the overall ΔT was higher than expected, due to the thermal interface materials. This can be improved with a better material.

Description

Tucson, Arizona
William G. Anderson, Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc., USA
Cameron Corday, Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc., USA
Mike DeChristopher, Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc., USA
John R. Hartenstine, Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc., USA
Taylor Maxwell, Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc., USA
Carl Schwendeman, Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc., USA
Calin Tarau, Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc., USA
The 44th International Conference on Environmental Systems was held in Tuscon, Arizona, USA on 13 July 2014 through 17 July 2014.

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