Why Military and Commercial Designers Use Heat Pipes, Especially Copper Heat Pipes

Heat pipes are extremely effective in high thermal conductivity. Heat pipes transfer heat from its source to heat sinks over long distances through latent vaporized working fluid heat. Typically heat pipes have three sections. They are a sealed containment vessel or shell that is vacuum tight, a working fluid, and a capillary wick structure. They work together to transfer heat evenly and efficiently. 

Heat is absorbed by vaporizing the working fluid. Vapor transports the heat to condenser regions. As vapor condenses, it releases heat to cooling mediums. The heat pipes’ wicks structure or gravity returns the condensed working fluid to the evaporators. This process creates capillary action. Planar and cylindrical heat pipes have an inner capillary lined surface of wicking material. 

The working fluid saturates the inner surface of heat pipe shell. The wicks provide the structure needed for capillary action that returns liquid from the condensers to the evaporators. Because of the vacuum seal, the working fluid boils and takes up latent heat below its atmospheric pressure boiling point. Water boils at 0ᵒ C and transfers latent heat effectively at that temperature. 

Military and commercial designers use high-performance copper heat pipes for power density capacity regardless of orientation or gravity. They are specifically designed for applications having gravity present thermal challenges or high heat loads. Long life and reliability are critical. Copper heat pipes have sintered copper powder wick structures that operate precisely against gravity. The heat pipes are rugged enough to withstand temperatures that range from -55ᵒ C to 180ᵒ C and numerous freeze-thaw cycles. 

Water is the working fluid used in copper heat pipes. It moves heat from the source to where it can be managed through dissipation liquid, air, or radiated to space. The heat pipes are incorporated into custom thermal solutions designed by engineering teams. They are integrated into metallic cold plates or heat sinks to improve efficiency and conductivity. The heat pipes are incorporated into extended surfaces, cold plates, and heat sinks with mechanical interference, solder, or epoxy.

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