Accumulator testing in multiple on-ground orientations for a small Mechanically Pumped Two-phase Loop (MPTL) for CCD thermal control
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Abstract
NLR designed and developed on request and in co-operation with BISME an Engineering Model of a Mechanically Pumped Two-phase Fluid Loop (MPTL) Thermal Control System for CCD thermal control. The objective is to provide accurate thermal control ( 1 C) and a temperature uniformity of <2 C for nine CCD cameras. The accumulator is a crucial component of such a two-phase pumped thermal control system which allows for loop density changes, and controls the pressure and thereby temperature of the thermal control system. As the accumulator is a large volume with both vapour and liquid, the accumulator is specially designed with internal wick structures for operation in micro-gravity to assure liquid is located at the accumulator inlet and below the accumulator heaters. The design is made such that operation in multiple on-ground orientations is possible. This is demonstrated by tests.
The paper starts with a brief overview of the MPTL project and the MPTL design. Subsequently the MPTL accumulator design and the test set-up are explained and test results in various orientations are presented. The paper concludes with an outlook on future MPTL developments and applications.
Description
Aswin Pauw, Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR)
Adry Van, Vliet National Aerospace Laboratory NLR
Qingliang Meng, Beijing Insttitute of Space Mechanics and Electricity (BISME)
Zhao Zhen Ming, Beijing Insttitute of Space Mechanics and Electricity (BISME)
Henk Jan van Gerner, Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR)
ICES201: Two-Phase Thermal Control Technology
The 50th International Conference on Environmental Systems was held virtually on 12 July 2021 through 14 July 2021.