The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Thermal Systems group (Kirtland AFB) develops and tests next-generation thermal control systems (TCS). Many of these systems rely on two-phase technologies that are gravity/orientation dependent. Examples include classic heat pipes, loop heat pipes, and oscillating heat pipes. There is a need within AFRL Thermal Systems to test these TCS at a variety of orientations with high-accuracy.

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The primary objective of this project is the design, development, fabrication, and testing of a test frame (i.e. mounting frame, rotation mechanisms, and data acquisition) capable of precise orientation adjustments.
This project includes the design, development, and fabrication of a thermal-orientation testbed for use in both ambient and vacuum environments. The test bed will be used for testing TCS such as classic heat pipes and oscillating heat pipes (e.g. flat-plate) and will consist of the following primary components:

Mounting frame: The mounting frame will rigidly hold test articles and also thermally isolate test articles from parasitic heat loss/gain. Materials will be vacuum compatible; 80/20 hardware is used as the main part of the reame. The mounting frame should be scalable to accommodate a wide-range of test article shapes/sizes.
Thermal sink: A thermal sink will be provided via a cold-plate connected via fluid paths to a refrigerated bath. The thermal-orientation testbed will include the capability to attach cold-plates of various sizes. Attachment will be thermally isolated from the mounting frame.
Thermal source: A heat source will be provided via patch heaters or equivalent connected to a DC power supply.
Rotation mechanisms: Electronically-controlled rotation mechanisms will provide accurate orientation of the test specimen about a primary and secondary axis. Orientation will be evaluated via measurement.
Data acquisition: A data acquisition system will be used to control rotation, monitor orientation, and monitor thermal performance.

This project could potentially help the Air Force to develop next generation Thermal systems that could have a wide of range of impacts on the high-tech innovations in their future plans.