Utra Thin Loop Heat Pipe

A Two Phase Heat Transfer Device

A Highly Effective, Thermally Conductive Solution

Ultra thin heat pipes are high-efficiency heat transfer solutions developed for many applications including handheld devices. They transport large amounts of heat with very small temperature gradients. The pipes have a two-phase heat transfer system using pure, deionized water vapor for continuous and rapid heat transfer in constricted spaces other solutions may be too bulky to address.

These ultra-thin shapes can easily fit inside the limited space of smartphones or notebooks, which allows heat to be evenly spread across devices and keep the components from overheating. The ultra-thin heat pipe also has multiple uses in low-power heat spreading applications beyond the consumer electronics industry.

These ultra-thin shapes can easily fit inside the limited space of smartphones or notebooks which allows heat to be evenly spread across devices and keep the components from overheating. The ultra-thin heat pipe also has multiple uses in low-power heat spreading applications beyond the consumer electronics industry.

The table below is a representation of our standard manufacturing capability. Please contact Baknor to see how we may help specific to your application and heat transfer requirements.

Mesh / Fiber Wicks

A mesh heat pipe is a smooth walled copper tube with a woven copper mesh installed along the interior of the pipe. The mesh is designed to remain in contact with the walls of the pipe in areas where the pipe may be bent or flattened. Mesh pipes can be used in horizontal and about 30° out of horizontal orientations.

Mesh or fiber wicks use a weave of either metallic or non-metallic material wrapped and pressed or otherwise bonded against the heat pipe wall. The number of wraps, the spacing of the mesh and the gap between each wrap of material can affect the porosity and thermal conductivity of this wick type. Much like sintered wicks, a mandrel is used to insert the mesh or fiber, along with a spring to hold non-metallic wicks in place against the pipe wall.

The use of mesh or fiber is very cost-effective, and is suitable for miniaturized applications in which other wick types are not as effective. Its simple design allows for modifications to increase liquid flow, such as adding stand-offs from the heat pipe wall to create open channels for the liquid return.

The advantage to mesh or fiber wicks is the very thin or flattened shape, which offers a high performance-to-cost ratio. It is also affected by orientation, though not as much as the grooved heat pipe. Baknor uses a copper fiber weave for its Ultra-Thin Heat Pipes. The Ultra-Thin Heat Pipes are used in mobile devices like smartphones, ultra-thin laptops, and tablets.

Sintered Wicks

The sintering process used to create this type of heat pipe wick is the same as that used in the creation of metallic filters and certain machine components. Metal powder of a specific particle size is partially fused to itself and the pipe wall through a two-step forging method, creating a porous structure. A specially prepared mandrel with non-stick coating is used to leave a central space for the vapor flow.

Because this wick structure bonds well to itself and to the pipe wall, it conducts heat efficiently from the working fluid to the material. The capillary action is also excellent, due to the ease with which pore size can be controlled during the sintering process. This structure can also easily accommodate pipe bends and various geometric configurations. Such flexibility is necessary for many thermal module assemblies.

As with most heat pipes, sintered wick heat pipes function best when the liquid phase flow is aided by gravity. However, the increased capillary pressure of this wick type allows it to operate effectively at any orientation. We use copper tubes and copper powder to create its sintered wick heat pipes. Due to the highly customizable nature of sintered wick heat pipe design, please contact Baknor for a custom design that fits your thermal management needs.

Ultra Thin Heat Pipes, A Two Phase Heat Transfer Device

Utra Thin Loop Heat Pipe

A Two Phase Heat Transfer Device

Wick Structures Available