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