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Freeze-Tolerant, Lightweight, Flexible Radiator

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: N/A
Agency Tracking Number: 36155
Amount: $737,664.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 1998
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
Etna Rd.
Hanover, NH 03755
United States
DUNS: 072021041
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Mr. Christopher J. Crowle
 (603) 643-3800
Business Contact
Phone: () -
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

We propose a lightweight radiator with an innovative fluid/thermal configuration that provides: (1) PASSIVE ability to accommodate freezing of the working fluid at deployment or during reduced heat load and (2) constant heat rejection temperature over a wide range of heat loads and heat sink temperatures. The key fluid/thermal features are innovative capillary cross-connects and recuperative heat transfer (between the outflow line and the return flow line from the radiator). This configuration and approach can be used with CPLs or mechanically pumped two-phase thermal management systems. Good thermal control and high reliability will be provided at low mass. In Phase I we will build a proof-of-concept radiator component using readily available materials and demonstrate it integrated with a CPL. In Phase II we will construct a brassboard CPL thermal management system with this radiator component and demonstrate the system behavior over a wide range of conditions. Expected results include a radiator component able to passively start up from a frozen shutdown condition, as well as superior redundancy and a factor of two savings in weight compared with heat pipe or once-through radiators.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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