Experimental Study of Weightless Effect on Small Vapor Compression Heat Pump

摘要

Vapor compression heat pump is of great significance to space thermal control. It can effectively regulate the temperature of electronic devices to ensure proper operation. Weightlessness is a significant factor affecting the operation. Weightlessness test of vapor compression heat pump was conducted to investigate the weightless effect on its performance. Weightlessness test was achieved by free fall on a platform 60m above the ground. The tests of continuous weightlessness and single stroke of weightlessness were presented and analyzed. The results showed that the weightlessness decreased the evaporative heat transfer performance and enhanced the condensation heat transfer performance. It is then advisable to increase heat transfer area of the evaporator in the design of future vapor compression heat pumps, and the design of condensers could still be based on the routine method adopted in ground applications. This part of experimental data for space application of vapor compression heat pump is expected to be of great significance.