ADVANCED HEAT PIPES FOR LOW/CRYOGENIC COOLING APPLICATIONS

Thermacore International, Inc.Lancaster, PA

ACCOMPLISHMENTS Developed high-lift flexible porous metal wicks for

cryogenic heat pipes. Demonstrated new limit to supercritical startup of

cryogenic heat pipes. Demonstrated applicability to

refrigerator/freezers. Demonstrated operation at -25C during STS

launch conditions.

COMMERCIALIZATION Technology is in place for commercial Stirling

refrigerator thermal interfaces. Technology in place for cooled high-power

electronics. Company has gone multi-National. Annual commercial growth of 30% every year

since 1994. See following website for more information on this

technology: www.thermacore.com

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GOVERNMENT/SCIENCE APPLICATIONS Stirling Orbiter Refrigerator/Freezer (SOR/F) flew successfully on

STS-60. Thermoelectric (solid state) freezer interfaces for Space Station Cryogenically cooled infrared sensors, medical equipment, and

electronics. Extending this technology for loop heat pipes for spacecraft.

1989 Phase 2, SS-020, 5/22/99

Goddard Space Flight Center

INNOVATION

Heat pipes with advanced porous metal wicks for low temperature uses

ADVANCED HEAT PIPES FOR LOW/CRYOGENIC COOLING APPLICATIONS

Point of Contact:- NASA - Ted Swanson; 301-286-8618- Thermacore - Elaine Risner; 717-569-6551

717-569-8424 fax