Applications
3D-Printed Pipe Segment Combines Heating and Sensors
Most of the heat control systems in use today are heavy, bulky and require many connecting cables. The EU project AHEAD (Advanced Heat Exchange Devices) aims to optimize these systems, and now a promising result has been presented: a 3D-printed…
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Most of the heat control systems in use today are heavy, bulky and require many connecting cables. The EU project AHEAD (Advanced Heat Exchange Devices) aims to optimize these systems, and now a promising result has been presented: a 3D-printed pipe segment that can heat the liquid in Mechanically Pumped Loops (MPL) and measure its temperature.
The pipe segment was developed by the Swiss Technology Innovation Center CSEM in collaboration with LISI Aerospace Additive Manufacturing and Thales Alenia Space France. What is notable about the 3D-printed pipe segment is that it combines heating elements and temperature sensors. This means it could be used in satellite thermal control systems in the future, as they need to avoid overheating in the sun or freezing outside its lite. Furthermore, the segment could also play an important role outside of satellite technology in IoT applications or Industry 4.0, where heating and monitoring solutions improve the reliability of thermal management processes.
The segment weighs 115 grams, is 150 millimetres long and can operate at temperatures ranging from -65 °C to +85 °C and at a pressure of up to 48 bars (photo credits: CSEM)
But how was the 3D-printed pipe segment produced and how is it used in MPLs? Mechanically Pumped Loops circulate fluids such as ammonia to transport heat from hot to cold areas. The 3D-printed pipe segment is therefore designed to heat the coolant and measure the temperature in order to control thermal regulation.
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