HEAT TRANSFER IN LIGHTSABERSAn ME 340 Project by Clayton Grames

INTRODUCTION

• Lightsabers are fictional weapons used in the Star Wars Universe

• Energy is focused through a crystal to form a beam of light that can cut through virtually anything

• Lightsabers are traditionallythe weapons of Jedi Knights

OBJECTIVE

• This project aims to find the maximum heat flux from the focus crystal that would maintain a safe constant outer surface temperature

• Assumptions:• Constant heat flux through from

the crystal radially outward• Liquid coolant in the crystal

chamber negates the effects of radiative heat transfer

• Crystal mounts are fully insulated

CONDITIONS

• Convective heat transfer coefficients are found for the internal flow and the outer surface

• The hydraulic internal flow is turbulent and causes free convection to be negligible

• A thermal circuit is used to calculate the heat flux from the surface of the lightsaber to center of the crystal chamber

Water V = 1 m/sTi = 300 K, k = 0.58

InsulationK = 0.2 W/m*KL = 15 mm

Al HousingK = 200 W/m*KL = 10 mm

Ts = 300 KT∞ = 290 K

Water To = 400 K

THERMAL CIRCUIT

• This shows the thermal circuit used to calculate the heat flux through the system

• Where:• Q = (Tsurface – Tinside)/Rtotal

• The heat flux for the given assumptions was found to be very small• Q = 2.09 W/m^2

Outside Conv.

Al Shell

Rubber Insulation

Water Cond.

Water Convection with Wall and Crystal

CALCULATIONS