Gravitational Effects on the Operation of a Variable Conductance Heat Pipe.

摘要

A variable conductance heat pipe, measuring 2.5 centimeters in diameter and 152 centimeters in length, was built. The heat pipe was operated in both the conventional and variable conductance modes to obtain experimental data concerning performance characteristics. The input electrical power was varied from 20 to 50 watts with the heat pipe placed in both the horizontal and vertical positions. Methanol and Freon 113 were selected as the working fluids; helium and krypton were the non-condensible gases. In the variable conductance mode, liquid crystals were used to observe qualitatively the temperature gradients occurring across the vapor-gas interface. Summarized performance data for the various operating conditions and graphs of the isotherms obtained from the liquid crystal data are presented. (Author)