Heat pipes system

Heat pipe system embarked on Ariane 5 shuttle

Context and problem to solve :

Our customer needs to forward images to earth via an embarked camera during the first hour flight of Ariane 5 shuttle.

When the camera is working the components on the electronic boards withhold an increase in temperature due to confinement and to the deterioration of the convection phenomenon induced by the decrease in atmospheric pressure.

It is thus necessary to cool the camera components in these conditions in order to warranty its good functioning during this first flight hour.

Constraints :

■ After takeoff, atmospheric pressure rapidly

decreases, the convection phenomenon

disappears.

■ Global power dissipated : 60W

■ Strong acceleration : 4.55g

Development of the study :

1-working out of a solution based on heat pipes

and pre size of it.

2-simulation in transitory rate thanks to a

thermal calculation software of each finished

element.

3- assembly of 2 prototypes and test in

laboratory under vacuum.

Concrete result :

The customer’s request has been satisfied , cooling of the camera allowed forwarding images during Ariane shuttle launching on February 15th, 2005.

Well performed takeoff.Heat pipe system embarked on Ariane 5 shuttle