Space Technologies
MAIN IDEA: to provide long distance heat transfer without energy consumption at any orientation in a gravity field with minimal weight of heat transfer system
In 1972 Russian scientists Yu. F. Gerasimov and Yu. F. Maydanik were the first to create a heat-transfer device, later named a «loop heat pipe».
Yu. F. Maydanik
Space Technologies
The aim was successfully achieved, and since that moment many Russian and foreign spacecraft with LHP-based thermal control systems have been conquering space for more than 25 years.
In particular, these systems are installed on Russian satellites Yamal-200 (NPO Lavochkin, 11 years on orbit), small satellite Mir (JSC Academician M. F. Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems, launched in 2012), and also on many other spacecraft manufactured in Russia and abroad. Since the creation of the first loop heat pipe in 1972 Thercon-LHP experts still play a leading role in scientific and technological research concerning loop heat pipes and their areas of application.
“A new stage in the development of thermal control systems began with the invention of loop heat pipes. The development was initiated by the work of researchers from Yekaterinburg. These devices can transfer heat in an any direction in the gravity field and they can practically unlimitedly increase the power and extent of heat transfer, and provide fantastic opportunities for controlling heat fluxes and temperatures ”
From the report of the head-chief designer of the Center for heat pipes of the RCA Goncharov K.A. on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Center staff.