Article ID: | iaor201530085 |
Volume: | 118 |
Start Page Number: | 210 |
End Page Number: | 217 |
Publication Date: | Jan 2016 |
Journal: | Acta Astronautica |
Authors: | Liu Hongpeng, Liu Weiqiang |
Keywords: | engineering, simulation |
A new design, the platelet heat-pipe-cooled leading edge, is discussed for the thermal management to prevent damage to hypersonic vehicle leading edge component. For calculating the steady state behavior of platelet heat-pipe-cooled leading edge, a numerical model based on the principles of evaporation, convection, and condensation of a working fluid is presented. And then its effectiveness is validated by comparing the wall and vapor temperature against experimental data for a conventional heat pipe. Further investigations indicate that alloy IN718, with sodium as the working fluid is a feasible combination for Mach 8 flight with a 15mm leading edge radius.