A team of scientists from China has developed a simple and effective cooling device that can control the heat generated by hypersonic flight. The device, which operates for up to 2½ hours, is designed to keep critical components at normal operating temperatures during long-duration flights.
The cylindrical device is filled with water and features a unique design that allows it to utilize thermal energy generated by aerodynamic heating as the driving force for active cooling. This approach achieves autonomous pressurization and cooling of the heat control device, making it suitable for reusability.
Unlike traditional cooling approaches, this device does not rely on complex components like heat pipes or booster pumps. Instead, it uses a simple structure that is cost-effective and easy to implement. The device can be reused by simply adding clean water before each flight.
China is in a race with the United States and Russia to develop hypersonic capabilities. While the C-HGB has been reported to fly for less than half an hour, China’s new hypersonic weapons can enter and exit the atmosphere multiple times, with a global range and flight time of over an hour.
The team behind this invention, led by Li Shibin, an assistant researcher at the National University of Defence Technology’s College of Aerospace Science and Engineering in Changsha, Hunan, reported their findings in the Journal of National University of Defence Technology this month.
Source: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3274827/chinese-team-thinks-outside-box-find-cool-solution-hypersonic-heat