Transient Performance of Gas-Loaded, Variable Conductance Heat Pipes with a Hot Reservoir

ABSTRACT Transient performance of gas-loaded heat pipes with a non-wicked hot reservoir are discussed with analytical and experimental results. The presense of the liquid in the hot reservoir causes the evaporator temperature excursion during the start up and brings about the long transient duration to achieve the ordinary steady state. Some design improvements have been done for ETS-3 Flight Experiments of Active Thermal Control and proved with the ground testing. Flight Experiments of it is planned in 1982.