Cooling

No space – no problem: Heatpipes

No space – no problem: Heatpipes

With its heat pipes, CTX Thermal Solutions proves that efficient cooling of electronic components is possible even in the tightest of spaces. The provider of tailor-made cooling solutions is thus serving the long-term trend that determines the development of electronic components: they achieve ever higher performance with ever more compact sizes.

Whether IGBTs, CPUs or components in electric vehicles: electronic components are becoming smaller and at the same time more powerful. In order to maintain the performance of the components, the high operating temperatures must be cooled efficiently even in the cramped installation conditions. CTX offers the most suitable cooling system for this - that of heat pipes.

Cooling with steam and condensation

CTX recommends the heat pipe for all installation situations in which a heat sink cannot be connected directly to the electronic component. Its design and functionality make it possible to install it in practically any position. A heat pipe is a closed system. A copper pipe with a capillary structure connects the actual heat pipe to a heat sink. A cooling medium, usually methanol or water, moves inside and transports the heat from the electronic component to the heat sink. This is made possible by the phase change between evaporation and condensation: In the heat zone, the cooling medium evaporates, which lowers the pressure in the copper pipe. Due to the pressure gradient, the steam flows to the cold spot at the transition to the heat sink and condenses. Heat is released in the process. Due to the capillary effect, the cooling medium flows back to the starting point of the circuit.

Most efficient solution for heat transfer

Heat pipes are considered the most efficient solution for heat transfer in electronic components. Even if they bridge small temperature differences, they dissipate large amounts of heat. Their design makes it possible for them to deliver their performance over long distances. They do not require any additional pumps or pipes. This makes them less maintenance-intensive than other systems that cool with liquids. The heat pipes can be freely designed. This means that CTX can adapt the heat pipes for each application to the specific requirements in terms of installation space and power loss. CTX heat pipes can be found in notebooks, processors and electric vehicles, among other things.

CTX implements tailor-made thermal management for every application

The development and production of tailor-made cooling solutions is CTX's strength. The company, based in Nettetal, uses all manufacturing processes from die casting to extrusion. On request, CTX also carries out mechanical post-processing using CNC and can thus improve heat transfer even further.

Share