Miniature Pumped Fluid Loop Regulating Payload under Simulated Earth Albedo Heat Load on Radiator

"We present the breadboard development of a miniature pumped monophasic fluid loop designed for thermal regulation on spacecraft’s in an LEO orbit. The pumped loop is completely free of moving parts where the pump technology is based on electro hydro dynamic pumping of a dielectric fluid. This pumping mechanism gives unique advantages, e.g. variable thermal conductance (regulated thermal conductivity) and high reliability. The breadboard system includes a pump, a novel bubble type expansion chamber, a cold side heat exchanger, a Shapal® CTE matched to the payload hot side heat exchanger, tubing and control electronics. Thermal tests on the breadboard system shows that the system behaves as expected. A thermal resistance of 0.59K/W was measured and a capability of regulating the hot side heat exchanger to a deviation better than 0.15°C when a simulated earth albedo heat load was applied to the radiator. Stability measurements over 24h with constant pumping power shows a stable system thermal conductance with no deviation.
The total system mass is below 350g and the system consumes less than 0.3W of power."