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Heatpipe Heatsink

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What is a Heatpipe Heatsink?

What is a Heat Pipe Heatsink?

A Heat Pipe heatsink uses a metal heat pipe, (see Heat Pipe construction below), to enhance the thermal performance of the heatsink base and fins and increase the efficiency of the heatsink. The Heat Pipe (often copper) transfers heat from one end of the pipe to the other and can be formed flat to the heatsink base or formed through the fins, as shown in the images below.

We are a leading heat pipe heatsink manufacturer with years of experience designing and producing high-quality cooling systems for electronic devices.

Copper Heat Pipe Heatsink

A copper Heat Pipe heatsink is a cooling device used in electronic devices to dissipate heat generated by the components. Heat Pipes are made of copper because their high thermal conductivity allows for efficient heat transfer. A Heat Pipe heatsink is a sealed copper pipe with a small amount of working fluid inside. When the heat from the electronic component is applied to one end of the heat pipe, the working fluid evaporates and travels to the other end, where it condenses and releases the heat. This process allows for effective heat dissipation and helps to prevent overheating of the electronic device. Copper Heat Pipe heatsinks are widely used in various applications, including computers, laptops, and other electronic devices.

Heat Pipe Uses

The use of a Heat Pipe for thermal management is a proven and widely applied technology. The modern concept of a capillary driven heat pipe was first invented by General Motors in 1962. NASA later adapted and further developed this concept. Heat pipes have become commonplace in some of today’s electronics systems. Computers, pipes along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, nuclear reactors, heat-sensitive electronics aboard satellites and the International Space Station, all rely on Heat Pipes to manage thermal output effectively.

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Heat Pipe Construction

A Heat Pipe is constructed using a metal tube that is sealed under a partial vacuum. Inside the metal tube is an inner wick lining that acts as a capillary material for a small amount of fluid (typically water). As heat is applied to the Heat Pipe surface in the hot location, the fluid is heated and as it is under a vacuum vaporizes at a much lower temperature than the 100°C point for water. This phase change from a fluid to vapor creates a differential pressure, where the vapor will naturally flow into the cooler low-pressure section of the heat pipe, situated at the heat sink cooling device end. Heat is then released and dissipated in the cooling device as the vapor condenses back into a fluid. The fluid then flows back into the warm region, due to the capillary action of the internal wick structure, where the cycle will repeat while heat is applied.

Many fluids can be used in Heat Pipes as the phase transition. In most applications, de-ionized water is selected as the working fluid due to its high latent heat, surface tension, thermal conductivity and boiling temperature. The negative pressure of the vacuum within Heat Pipes allows the water to boil and turn into steam at lower temperatures than normal. The internal wick can vary depending upon the application and orientation of the cooling device. The three most common methods are:

Grooved– Low Cost, does not work well against gravity
Wire Mesh– Most common method
Sintered– Highest performance and cost

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Heat Pipe Examples

In this example a Heat Pipe was embedded into a heatsink so that the heat could be spread uniformly.

In this example the Heat Pipe and heatsink were nickel plated.

Heat Pipe integrated radiator

Extruded heatsink with integrated copper heat-pipes

Benefits of Heatsink Heat Pipes

Heat Pipe heatsinks are an effective cooling solution that can quickly and efficiently dissipate heat from electronic devices. Our Heat Pipe heatsinks are made from high-quality materials and designed to provide maximum thermal performance. Some of the benefits of using our heat pipe heatsinks include the following:

Improved Performance – Our Heat Pipe heatsinks can improve electronic device performance by reducing the temperature of critical components.
Increased Reliability – By reducing the temperature of electronic components, our heat pipe heatsinks can help increase the reliability and lifespan of devices.
Quiet Operation – Our Heat Pipe heatsinks are designed to operate quietly, making them ideal for use in noise-sensitive environments.
Energy Efficiency – Our Heat Pipe heatsinks can help reduce energy consumption by improving the thermal efficiency of electronic devices.

Why Use a Heat Pipe and Heat Pipe Heatsinks Over a Conventional Heatsink?

Heatsink Efficiency: A Heat Pipe can be thought of as a highly conductive tube with a thermal conductivity in excess of 4000 W/(mK), at least ten times that of copper. The Heat Pipe improves the spread of heat through the heatsink base by transporting heat more efficiently from the base to the outer fins, improving the efficiency of the heat sink.
Reduction in heatsink size: Due to the improved heat transfer within Heat Pipe heatsink assembly and the use of flattened heat pipes, the heatsink base and fins can be reduced in thickness. This is particularly advantageous in an application with high component density, where PCB space is at a premium.
Weight reduction: A conventional copper heatsink is three times as heavy as an aluminium. Copper heat pipes are light evacuated copper tubes, which when used with an aluminium heatsink give improved thermal performance compared to a copper heatsink, while significantly reducing the weight.
Enclosure thermal optimization: The soft copper construction of a Heat Pipe can be flattened and angled to reach a number of components within an enclosure. Multiple Heat Pipes can then be fed to a single large heatsink within an enclosure and dissipated via a fan to ambient.
Cost benefits: Improved thermal heatsink performance, reduction in localized heatsink fan assemblies and weight reduction results in overall cost savings at component and enclosure level.

Custom Heatsink Heat Pipes

In addition to our standard Heat Pipe heatsinks, we also offer custom designs to meet the specific requirements of our clients. Our team of experienced engineers can work with you to develop a customized heat pipe heatsink that meets your exact needs.