This thesis covers two topics. The first subject
involves tests run on a ultralite reflux tube supplied by
Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories (PNL). The second
topic involves tests to determine the relative wicking rates
of several different fabrics.
The ultralite reflux tube supplied by PNL was
constructed of copper and Nextel 312. It had a 10 mil thick
copper evaporator and a 10 mil thick copper condenser end
cap. The bulk of the condenser was 2 mil thick copper
covered by a one inch diameter Nextel 312 woven hose. A
life test was run within the Heat Pipe Test Facility, a
chamber used to simulate low earth orbit. The life test
lasted for over 800 hours, during which time the reflux tube
operated steadily with no drop in performance. At the end
of the test the reflux tube was removed and observed. The
only noticeable change was a slight discoloration of the
Nextel 312 used to cover the condenser. This discoloration
was consistent with previously observed phenomenon.
The second topic, fabric wicking rate studies were done
as a follow up study to the dry uptake tests previously
conducted at Oregon State University. The purpose of the
tests were to get a relative feel for the ability of
different fabrics to wick water. This was achieved using a
drop test in which the fabrics were laid out on a bridge
connecting two containers. One of the containers was
elevated above the other. The fabrics were allowed to wick
water from the upper container to the lower container and
the rate at which this was accomplished was measured. The
fabrics were all able to move significant amounts of water.
The stiffer fabrics seemed to perform better. The major
transport mechanism was transport between fabric layers and
the fabric and the bridge. / Graduation date: 1993
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/36093 |
| Date | 22 January 1993 |
| Creators | Snuggerud, Ross D. |
| Contributors | Klein, Andrew C. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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