2.1) Mini heat pipes
The main objective in the study of mini heat pipes is to obtain maximum performance of the device through the understanding of all heat transfer mechanisms that appears inside the tube. The main function of a heat pipe is to transfer heat from a warmer area to a cooler area, in order to ensure temperature control on its entire surface. The use of mini heat pipes for the thermal control of electronic devices has been increasing recently, being already used in a few laptop models. Another branch of our research evaluates the efficacy of such mini tubes in micro-gravity environments, in order to broaden its utilization for the thermal control of electronic devices in satellites.
Figure 1 - Wire mini heat pipes
Figure 2 - Mini heat pipes tests on the International Space Station
Figure 3 - Astronaut training during experimental qualification tests
Publications: MANTELLI, M. B. H.; BUSCHINELLI, A. J. A.; NASCIMENTO, R. M.; PAIVA, K. V. Diffusion welding of wire micro heat pipe arrays. In: 12th International Heat Pipe Conference, Kostroma - Moscou, 2002.
NASCIMENTO, R. M.; BUSCHINELLI, A.; PAIVA, K. V.; MANTELLI, M. B. H. Aplicação da Soldagem por Difusão no Estado Sólido para Fabricação de Micro Tubos de Calor. In: Congresso Brasileiro de Engenharia e Ciência dos Materiais - CBECM, Natal/RN, 2002.
LAUNAY, S.; SARTRE, V.; MANTELLI, M. B. H.; PAIVA, K. V. P.; LALLEMAND, M. Investigation of a wireplate micro heat pipe array. International Journal of Thermal Sciences. v. 43, p. 499-507, 2004.
PAIVA, K. V.; MANTELLI, M. B. H.; BUSCHINELLI, A. J. A. Experimental Study of a Wire Mini Heat Pipe for Microgravity Test. In: 13th International Heat Pipe Conference, 2004, Shanghai, 2004.
PAIVA, K. V.; MANTELLI, M. B. H.; GOHR Jr., R.; CORREA, M. A. Wire Mini Heat Pipe under Microgravity Conditions. In: 14th International Heat Pipe Conference (14th IHPC), 2007, Florianópolis.
PAIVA, K. V.; MANTELLI, M. B. H.; GOHR, R.; SLONGO, L. K., NICOLAU, V. B. Experimental Tests of Wire Mini Heat Pipe under Microgravity Conditions aboard Suborbital Rockets. 9th International Heat Pipe Symposium, Kuala Lumpur - Malásia, 2008.
