Electronic devices as well as mechanical or powered machinery generate large amounts of heat during regular operation. If not managed well, this excess, or waste, heat can damage delicate components and circuitry, cause devices to run slowly, or contribute to device failure and shortened service life.
Heat pipes and heat sinks are tools for transferring waste heat away from its source so it can dissipate into the atmosphere. They can be used separately or in conjunction with each other, to keep heat at optimal levels inside devices and equipment.
Here we’ll take a closer look at what heat pipes and heat sinks are and how they work.
What Is a Heat Pipe?
A heat pipe is a conductive metal tube with fluid sealed inside. The fluid helps to transfer heat from the source out into the surrounding cooler atmosphere. The fluid evaporates at the hot end of the tube, flows to the other end, and then condenses, thereby cooling the device or equipment. A wicking material, such as copper mesh, may be included in the pipe to facilitate fluid movement through capillary action. This cycle repeats for continuous cooling and thermal management.
To be effective, a heat pipe must be made with material with high thermal conductivity, usually copper or copper alloy. The fluid inside must have the correct vapor pressure, viscosity, and thermal properties to support the thermal transfer process. Water is a common choice, but other options include ammonia, ethanol, and methanol.
How Do Heat Pipes Work?
Heat pipes transfer heat by evaporation and condensation. One end of the pipe is located at the heat source and the other is exposed to the surrounding air or another fluid, which is cooler. The heat from the source causes the liquid to boil or evaporate, resulting in a pressure differential between the two ends. This causes the fluid to flow to the other end, where it condenses because it is cooler. Heat energy is released and the device becomes cooler. The cooled liquid then flows back to the hot end and the cycle repeats.
A heat pipe can be used on its own inside electronic or other equipment or incorporated into a heat sink device, which insulates it. When used together the resulting component is called a heat pipe heat sink device.
What Is a Heat Sink?
A heat sink absorbs and holds heat that is then dissipated through natural convection or actively with a fan or pump. Heat sinks are made of highly conductive materials like aluminum, copper, and sometimes graphite or diamond. A basic heat sink can be as simple as a flat plate or thin block of material. Or, in order to create additional surface area and absorb more heat, many heat sinks are designed with a flat plate and a series of flat fins that stand perpendicular to the plate.
As noted above, a heat sink can be used on its own or be embedded with one or more heat pipes. The pipes are fed through holes cut through the fins and facilitate the heat absorption and transfer process.
How Do Heat Sinks Work?
Heat sinks are strategically located inside electronic devices and machines to absorb the waste heat generated. The more surface area a heat sink has, the more heat it can absorb and the faster it can absorb it. For this reason, in some applications, heat sinks are designed with a series of fins that are perpendicular to the base to capture more heat.
There are two general ways heat is dissipated from a heat sink:
- Passively, in which the heat dissipates naturally through radiation and convection
- Actively, in which heat is dispersed into the atmosphere by a fan or pump
Contact Pelonis Technologies for Heat Pipes and Heat Sinks
At Pelonis Technologies, we design and manufacture heat pipes and heat sinks for thermal management in electronic and mechanical devices. We also offer a comprehensive selection of fans, blowers, cooling and heating devices, motion control components, and motors for electronic and mechanical applications. Additionally, we can manufacture customized products at small or large scale. We are ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 certified and comply with UL, CUL, CE, and TUV requirements.
Contact us today to learn more about our capabilities or request a quote.
