Rewet Performance of a Rectangular Grooved Heat Pipe Wick After Gravitationally Induced Dryout

The effects of increased acceleration forces on the transient dryout and rewet performance of an axial groove heat pipe wick were experimentally studied using inclination to simulate increased acceleration forces. Two durations of increased acceleration were investigated, one being less than the time required for the groove to reach steady-state dryout conditions, the other being sufficient to ensure the groove had reached steady-state dryout conditions. The grooves extent of dryout was found to be greater at increased levels of acceleration. The period of time required for the groove to rewet after an acceleration induced dryout increased as acceleration increased. The period of time for rewet was independent of duration for higher acceleration levels. The time period required for the groove to return to starting steady- state temperatures was zero for short durations of increased acceleration, and increased as acceleration increased for short durations.