25. Study of New Technologies for Micro-Gravity Electronic Device Thermal Control
Period:
2007 / 2011
Description:
In the proposed experiment, four different heat pipe conceptions will be tested for thermal control and heat spreading in micro-gravity environments: pulsating heat pipes, vapor chamber, S-shaped heating mini tube, and CPM technology. CPM development has been successfully applied in satellites of several countries, but there are no Brazilian experiments with CPM under micro-gravity environments. If the results are positive, some technologies may be patented. The four mini heat pipe concepts will be tested under identical conditions, which allow performance comparison for later selection of the best technology to solve a specific thermal control in electronic devices aboard satellites or the International Space Station. Firstly, the thermal performance of four heat transport devices will be evaluated under micro-gravity, aboard of a sub-orbital rocket. Then, the device with the best thermal performance will be inserted in the cooling system of a portable computer, or in a signal acquisition system, to be tested aboard of the ISS. The results of the first phase will help the development of an appropriate geometry of a thermal spreader and therefore simulate a real situation.
Members:
Kleber Vieira de Paiva
Leonardo Kessler Slongo
Marcia Barbosa Henriques Mantelli
Financing:
Agência Espacial Brasileira - AEB (financial aid)
