Flexible Methane & Ethane Heat Pipes

Specific mission requirements can often requirecall for some degree of flexibility such as minimizing mechanical loads induced into payloads containing highly sensitive positional sensors or allowing containment of radiator panels within spacecraft fairing until deployment into fully operational positions. Flexible thermal straps and Loop Heat Pipes (LHP) are typically used for this flexible thermal link. Thermal straps are a lower technology solution for lower heat transport applications (<10 Watt) that need small mechanical displacement. LHPs can transport kilowatts of heat over long distances and have transport lines and condenser tubes that are flexible, bendable, and easily routed through complex paths. Drawbacks of LHPs include being significantly more expensive to fabricate and qualify. Flexible Constant Conductance Heat Pipes (CCHPs) can fill the gap between flexible thermal straps and loop heat pipes. The Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program proposed by Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. (ACT) will design, fabricate, and demonstrate a cryogenic flexible CCHP for a passive thermal management device.

The flexible CCHP can be used in an application that requires a passive thermal control system with some degree of flexibility such as minimizing mechanical loads induced into payloads containing highly sensitive positional sensors or allowing containment of radiator panels within the spacecraft fairing until deployment into fully operational positions. The proposed concept builds upon proven technologies, and offers high reliability, minimal mass, and low power requirements.

Flexible heat pipes are of interest in a number of different applications. CubeSats and SmallSats will benefit from the flexible bend, allowing deployment of radiator panels. Flexible heat pipes can also be used in terrestrial electronics, for both military and commercial applications. One example is using a flexible heat pipe to remove heat from an aircraft actuator. ACT has had a number of inquiries from customers on the availability of flexible heat pipes.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.