FADEC Cooling Using High Temperature Loop Heat Pipes

The Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) controls engine operation. It is historically mounted on the engine case to minimize the routing length of the sensor and actuator wiring. The FADEC must be maintained below 63°C, while the environment can be as hot as 170°C. The current design uses fuel to cool the FADEC, however, this often limits the allowable ground or flight idle time before the fuel is too hot to cool the FADEC. This SBIR project will develop a loop heat pipe (LHP) thermal management system that will transport the FADEC heat load to an alternate sink, typically located 2 m away. The Phase I project will develop a model of the thermal management system, which will include heat pipes to lower the internal ÄT in the FADEC box, and LHPs to transport the heat to a heat sink. This will eliminate the use of fuel for cooling the FADEC, isolating it from the fuel cooling system. The benefits include an increase in the allowable fuel temperature, increasing idle time. The goal of the Phase II project will be to design, fabricate and test a LHP thermal system for cooling the FADEC.