Rotating Heat Pipe for High Speed Motor/Generator Cooling

In recent years, the Air Force has been developing rotating heat pipe(RHP) technology for potential use in advanced aircraft systems. The major interest has been to investigate the high speed operating regime(15-60 krpm) of the RHP with targeted application to the more-electric systems such as the integrated power unit and integral starter/generator. Towards this goal, a 2000 W, stainless steel-water, high speed RHP was manufactured and successfully tested up to 30 krpm for the first time. Also, a newly patented RHP design was incorporated in the rotor of an existing permanent magnet alternator presently used in aircraft. Commercial production of this alternator is in progress.