Heatpipe heatsink with heat pipe technology
Transport heat quickly and maintenance-free from the hotspot to the cooling system
Heatpipe heat sinks are an innovative solution in the field of electronics cooling that utilise the so-called enthalpy of vaporisation for heat transfer in a heat pipe. The highly thermally conductive copper heat pipes used are characterised by their ability to transfer heat quickly and efficiently over long distances. The special feature of the heat pipe technology is the functional principle inside the heat pipe, which is based on the phase transition from liquid to gas or water vapour (heat absorption) - and back from the gaseous to the liquid aggregate state (heat release).
Advantages of heat pipe technology in heat sink production
- Very good heat conduction
- Ideal for heat dissipation in confined installation situations
- Can be combined with various other production technologies
- Heat dissipation over longer distances possible
- Freedom of design thanks to customised number and shape of heat pipes
- Position-independent installation of the heat pipe sink
- Robust and low-maintenance
- Various surface finishes possible
(nickel plating, painting, powder coating, etc.)
Heat pipes are usually connected to the aluminium heat sink by soldering or gluing into prepared holes. The assembly process depends on the specific application and the heat transfer requirements. For efficient heat transfer, good thermal contact must be established between the heat pipe and the heat sink.
Heatpipes in combination with various cooling technologies
Heatpipe heat sinks are particularly effective as they can transfer heat quickly and efficiently. In combination with various cooling fin manufacturing processes, they can significantly increase cooling performance as they maximise heat dissipation and at the same time enable a compact design.
Heatpipe+ cooling fins
The faster heat spread provided by heat pipes efficiently distributes heat across the stacked or brazed fins of the heatsink, allowing for even heat distribution. The large surface area in a small space enables improved heat distribution. Mobile and compact applications benefit from the weight saving, and the ideal utilisation of installation space allows these cooling systems to be integrated into tight spaces.
Heatpipe with cooling fins+ fan
The combination of heatpipes with fans promotes rapid heat dissipation, enabling higher cooling capacities. Even in environments with little or no convection, the fan ensures reliable temperature regulation. In addition, the fin density can be increased, which increases the surface area for heat exchange and further improves the cooling capacity. EKL offers a wide range of its own fan models as well as fans from well-known brands such as ebm-papst, SANYO DENKI, ADDA, JAMICON, STK and Everflow.
Heatpipe+ various heat sinks
Heatpipes offer rapid heat spreading to heat sinks of various designs, such as extruded heat sinks, skived fin heat sinks or bonded fin heat sinks. They effectively transport heat to more distant parts of the heat sink, which promotes even heat distribution and prevents the formation of hotspots. In combination with fans, heatpipes achieve an even more effective cooling performance, especially for components with high power dissipation.
Heatpipe+ vapour chamber
The rapid heat spread of the vapour chamber enables efficient heat absorption and distribution. Compared to a solid copper plate, this solution is lighter, which is particularly advantageous in mobile devices. Even heat distribution ensures that hotspots are avoided. The lower temperature gradient leads to more stable performance under different operating conditions.
Let's talk about your cooling task!
Danny Weimer
Sales Department
+49 (0)7561 9837-28
d.weimer@ekl-ag.de
Make an appointment Enquiries by e-mail
Danny Weimer
Sales Department
+49 (0)7561 9837-28
d.weimer@ekl-ag.de
Make an appointment Enquiries by e-mail
Endless circulation of aggregate states in the heat pipe for maximised cooling capacity
Inside the hermetically sealed copper heat pipe is a liquid (usually water) that vaporises when heated (at the hotspot) and migrates in gaseous form to the cooler area in the pipe section (at the cooling element). There, the vapour condenses back into liquid and is transported back through the fine capillary structure inside the heat pipe. This process enables very effective heat transport from hot to cool areas. In electronic systems, heat is transported away from the hotspot of a component to a distant cooling element. Heat pipe cooling utilises only the physics of aggregate states and capillary forces for heat transport, so that no mechanical parts are required.
Low thermal resistance thanks to wet vapour area
In a heat pipe, the vapour and liquid phases of the working medium are located together in a closed volume (in this case the copper heat pipe), which creates a wet vapour area. This results in minimal temperature differences along the head sink pipe, allowing it to transport heat over long distances with almost no losses.
Heat pipe applications with little space and high power loss
Heatpipe heat sinks are often used in high-performance electronics, such as for high-end processors (CPU), high-end graphics cards (GPU), high-performance LED modules and electronic components in drive and control technology. Heatpipe cooling is particularly useful in demanding applications that require fast and reliable heat dissipation from the hotspot to a remote heat sink. In addition, their passive cooling function, which does not require an external energy source for heat transport, and their compact design make them suitable for many modern electronics applications.
Added value and extras
Our full service goes beyond the mere development, series production and logistics of your heat sinks. Do you need special bores or milling on your heat sinks? Do you want your heat sink to not only dissipate a lot of heat, but also look stylish? Would you like a product ready-to-plug-in with all accessories?
Welcome to EKL!
Welcome to EKL!
CNC machining
For prototypes, small series and customised reworking of heat sinks, we have modern 3- and 5-axis CNC milling machinesat our company headquarters. Complex machined and high-precision radiators are our speciality. Working areas of the machines:
Hermle C 400 (5-axis) 850 x 700 x 500 mm | Mikron VCE1000pro (3-axis) 1000 x 560 x 600 mm | Kondia B1050 (3-axis): 1000 x 500 x 600 mm
Hermle C 400 (5-axis) 850 x 700 x 500 mm | Mikron VCE1000pro (3-axis) 1000 x 560 x 600 mm | Kondia B1050 (3-axis): 1000 x 500 x 600 mm
Surface finishing
Our range includes various surface finishes to create a durable, corrosion-resistant surface. Nickel plating increases wear resistance and lustre. Chromating and passivation, especially with Surtec 650, provide additional protection against corrosion. Powder coating is another option for a robust and durable coloured surface. Painting and cathodic dip coating round off our wide range of surface colours and textures.
Attachments & accessories
Depending on the application, screws, springs or push pins ensure the secure and stable attachment of the heat sinks. Backplates provide additional stability and improved heat dissipation. Heat-conducting pastes and pads are naturally part of our range to enable optimum heat transfer between the heat sink and the heat source.
Secure packaging for transport
With a focus on perfect protection during transport, we develop packaging that not only fits perfectly but is also robust. Another important aspect of the range is the use of recyclable materials that contribute to sustainability and environmental friendliness.
Heat pipe cooling technology in typical areas of application
Heatpipe heat sinks are an innovative solution in the field of electronics cooling that utilises the phase transition of liquids to transport heat quickly and effectively from hot to cooler areas. Heatpipes conduct heat better than many other materials and require no moving parts. Their compact design makes them ideal for use in applications with limited installation space and for components that generate a lot of heat.
- 30 years of experience
- Engineering in Germany
- Full Service Heat Sink
- Cost-efficient development
- Fast market launch
- Maximum quality
The EKL project stages for your cooling solutionChoose your point of entry!
Our offer is as flexible as your needs. Are you still early in the development phase and want an idea generator for the best cooling solution? Do you have a ready-made device that gets too hot? Or are you simply looking for an alternative or additional supplier for a heat sink already used in series production? In EKL you will always find a flexible, agile and responsible partner for the cooling of your electronic components and complete systems, whatever the project phase. We look forward to your enquiry!
Counselling
Concept
Concept
In personal contact and open dialogue with you, our engineers create the creative space and framework to design the best cooling solution for your requirements from the wealth of options available.
Development
Feasibility / simulation
Feasibility / simulation
We test the idea for your heat sink virtually in the thermal simulation. Realistic computer simulations allow variations in manufacturing processes, system structures and other parameters.
Performance optimisation
Even a well-functioning heat sink can still be optimised. We determine the "how" and "how much" by simulating different materials or cooling technologies, for example, as well as simulating various environmental parameters.
Cost optimisation
An expensive heat sink can often be made significantly cheaper by using an alternative manufacturing process. Whether with the same or application-specific performance: we support your product development in reducing costs.
Production drawing
Prototype construction
Prototype construction
Prototypes from our design department enable early testing and targeted solutions to problems in your device. We create your functional and design prototypes with our in-house CNC production.
Series production
small to large
small to large
By manufacturing in-house and in Asia, we can offer all types of heat sinks from small to large series at competitive unit prices. We impress our long-standing customers with our consistently high quality.
Sampling
Incoming goods inspection
Incoming goods inspection
We make no compromises when it comes to quality: Development takes place in Germany and all series products are analysed by our German test laboratory according to test plans using state-of-the-art methods.
Surface finishing
Anodising, powder coating, painting etc. protect your heat sinks from corrosion and environmental influences. But colour is not just chic, because dark-coloured heat sinks also emit more radiant heat.
Assemblies
Pre-assembly
Pre-assembly
We actively relieve your production with pre-assembled assemblies. This reduces your workload per device and guarantees the highest quality, because as cooling professionals we ensure that the heat sink is optimally attached.
Quality assurance
Test plans
Test plans
We test according to our own and customer-specific test plans using the latest rapid thermal measuring equipment, 3D measuring machines, assembly tests and testing of various application scenarios.
Packaging design
Packaging production
Packaging production
EKL develops and produces customised packaging to optimally protect your sensitive heat sinks or assemblies in the sometimes harsh transport and storage environments.
Warehouse
& Logistics
& Logistics
With large storage capacities, we offer production-related stocking and consignment warehouses, just-in-time deliveries, customised delivery schedules and flexible shipping options for your individual requirements.
Direct comparison of heatpipe manufacturing processes
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| Extruded heat sinks | Cold forged heat sinks | Soldered heat sinks | Bonded cooling fins | Pressed cooling fins | Friction stir welding | Heatpipes | Vapour Chamber | Crimped heat sinks | Skived Fins | Die casting | Laserwelding | Vacuum brazing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity | |||||||||||||
| Heat dissipation over long distances | |||||||||||||
| Design freedom and flexibility in shape and size | |||||||||||||
| Low tool costs / initial investment | |||||||||||||
| Favourable unit prices | |||||||||||||
| Low set-up costs | |||||||||||||
| Economic efficiency for small series | |||||||||||||
| Economic efficiency for large series | |||||||||||||
| Can be combined with other technologies | |||||||||||||
| Surface finishing / resistance | |||||||||||||
| Heat transfer | |||||||||||||
| Standard products | |||||||||||||
| Material density | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | |||||||
| Space-saving, large surface area in a small space | |||||||||||||
| Weight-saving | |||||||||||||
| Position dependence / gravity dependence | |||||||||||||
| Machinability | |||||||||||||
| Mechanical stability | |||||||||||||
| Low wear and tear | |||||||||||||
| Homogeneity (material, no additional materials) | |||||||||||||
| Suitability for large coolers | |||||||||||||
| Suitability for small coolers |
• less suitable | ••••• excellently suited | n.a.: not applicable
Let's talk about your cooling task!
Frank Sichler
Sales Manager
+49 (0)7561 9837-47
f.sichler@ekl-ag.de
Make an appointment Enquiries by e-mail
Frank Sichler
Sales Manager
+49 (0)7561 9837-47
f.sichler@ekl-ag.de
Make an appointment Enquiries by e-mail