Abstract: A dual compensation chamber loop heat pipe is developed to solve the problem of relative orientation limit of the conventional loop heat pipes operating in ground environment and extend the application domain of conventional loop heat pipes. The steady-state operating characteristics at three typical orientations are investigated, and the operating ability of the dual compensation chamber loop heat pipe at the most severe orientation is demonstrated by experiments. Analysis of the experimental results shows that the operating temperature is lower at gravity-assisted orientation than other orientations and this phenomenon is caused by the pressure drop change of the external loop. The operating temperature variation with different heat load is determined by the energy conservation of the compensation chambers. In addition, the temperature hysteresis phenomena are found in the heat load step increase and decrease process in the experiments.

Key words: loop heat pipes, dual compensation chambers, operating characteristics, temperature control