Variable conductance heat pipe

Advanced products under development include:

The Aerospace Products Group also provides design, analysis and testing services. Its design and analysis capabilities include 3D solid modeling, CFD, FEA and in house CCHP and VCHP design codes. Some specialty testing equipment includes bell jar vacuum systems, a 3' x 8' thermo-vacuum chamber and various wick characterization apparatus.

Thermo-Vacuum Chamber

Reliability is of paramount importance for all aerospace heat pipes. Many satellite thermal control applications require the heat pipes to operate without any degradation for more than ten years. Heat pipes are passive heat transfer devices that have no moving mechanical parts. The most common failure modes in a heat pipe are the breach of the heat pipe seals and the contamination of the heat pipe internal fluid/material system.

All of ACT's aerospace heat pipes are sealed by welding, and all welds are x-ray inspected to the most stringent aerospace standards. Multiple operations are incorporated in the manufacturing process to prevent contaminants from entering the heat pipe, remove contaminants from the heat pipe, and verify the cleanliness of the heat pipe.

As an ultimate proof of the manufacturing process, ACT maintains an aerospace heat pipe life test program. A total of nine aluminum/ammonia constant conductance heat pipes were put into the life test facility. These heat pipes are operated at elevated temperatures, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. The elevated temperatures accelerate the development of any problems in the heat pipe seals or caused by contamination. The life test program is continuing indefinitely, with the life test result updated periodically on this website.

Additional information on ACT's aerospace products: