Thermal Management of Satellite Electronics via Gallium Phase Change Heat Sink Devices

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: AD1070522 | Open PDF

Abstract:

The purpose of this research was to determine the effectiveness and feasibility of additively manufactured heat sinks using gallium as a phase change material in the thermal management of satellite electronics. A design was created based on the footprint of an Astronautical Development, LLC Lithium 1 UHF radio and six heat sinks were additively manufactured two each of stainless steel 316, Inconel 718, and ULTEM 9085. Each heat sink was filled with gallium for testing purposes. Models were created to simulate the behavior of the heat transfer and phase change processes occurring within the heat sink. Additionally, laboratory data was gathered on the actual processes occurring. Testing was carried out in a thermal vacuum chamber with the use of film heaters that were attached to the heat sinks to simulate radios in transmitting mode while a satellite is in contact with a ground station. Finally, temperature profiles of the laboratory data were created to gain insight into the characteristics of the phase change process and its effectiveness in thermal management of satellite electronics.

Author(s):
Palmer, Brian O
Author Organization(s):
AIR FORCE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB United States
Descriptive Note:
Technical Report
Pagination:
0102

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release;

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
AFIT-ENY-MS-18-D-038
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_1.2.7_Experimentation; JCA_4.6_Engineering; JCA_1.2.5_Lessons Learned; JCA_1.2.6_Concepts; JCA_1.3.2_Personnel Management; JCA_4.3_Maintain
Modernization Areas:
Space
Communities of Interest:
Space
Descriptor(s):
additive manufacturing, heat sinks, gallium, heat transfer, heat of fusion, latent heat, fused deposition modeling, selective laser sintering, fabrication, phase change materials, TEMPERATURE CONTROL, electronics, stainless steel, ULTRAHIGH FREQUENCY
Field(s)/Group(s):
Air Conditioning, Heating, Lighting and Ventilating, Thermodynamics
Keyword(s):
Passive Thermal Management, Phase Change Material
Report Date:
2018 Dec 01
Creation Date:
2019 Apr 12