Thermo-Modulating Heat Pipes (TMHPs)
ACT (Advanced Cooling Technologies)
A dual-mode spacecraft thermal device combining VCHP and thermal diode functions in a single gas-charged aluminum-ammonia design, eliminating the separate NCG reservoir for reduced mass and cost.
Typed specifications6 values
Discloses 1 of 7 fields engineers filter by in this category (category median 2).
- Envelope (L×W×H)
- Aluminum-ammonia product page
- Radiation tolerance (TID)
- 600 krad up to, Total Ionizing Dose (TID) · datasheet p.5
- Export status
- EAR datasheet p.11 ITAR
- Product type
- heat pipe Passive temperature control across operating ranges · datasheet p.7 variable conductance heat pipe Thermo-Modulating VCHP variant: passive temperature control a…
Each value is typed with its unit and measurement condition and cites the datasheet page it was taken from. Nothing is guessed: a field that is absent here has not been published by the manufacturer. machine-extracted ✓ checked by NewSpace Market ✓ manufacturer confirmed by the manufacturer.
As published by the supplier6 lines, in the manufacturer's own wording
- Working fluid / envelope
- Aluminum-ammonia
- Ncg reservoir
- Integrated (no separate reservoir)
- Demonstrated load (VCHP Mode)
- ~36 W
- Operating modes
- VCHP mode (forward); Diode mode (reverse blocking)
- Control method
- Passive (Non-Condensable Gas)
- Use Case(s)
- Passive temperature control across operating ranges
About
The Thermo-Modulating Heat Pipe (TMHP) merges the functions of a Variable Conductance Heat Pipe (VCHP) and a thermal diode into a single simplified device. Unlike traditional VCHPs that require a separate external NCG reservoir, the TMHP stores non-condensable gas within the condenser section, reducing component count, mass, and overall complexity.
The TMHP operates in two distinct modes. In VCHP mode, the NCG incrementally blocks condenser area at lower sink temperatures, regulating heat transfer. In diode mode, when the radiator temperature exceeds the payload temperature, the NCG fully blocks the evaporator to prevent backflow of heat — acting as a one-way thermal valve. Experimental demonstrations have validated performance at approximately 36 W load in VCHP mode.
Documentation
Need the full ICD, test reports or a specific revision? Ask the supplier directly.