Aerospace

Heat pipes are passive, lightweight and compact. They operate without moving parts, show very high effective thermal conductivity, and function reliably over a long period of time. This makes them very well suited in aerospace applications.

In the aerospace industry, too, the power and packing density of electronic components are constantly increasing, as is the amount of waste heat generated in confined spaces. This is where the heat dissipation and heat pipe technology used to date is reaching its limits.

Satellite technology requirements

In future satellite generations, individual functional modules (e.g. telecommunications modules) may generate waste heat power of several kW. Furthermore, more and more compact and lightweight nanosatellites with closely spaced components and high thermal power density are being used.

In collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for High-Speed Dynamics, Ernst-Mach-Institut, EMI, research is currently underway to further enhance the performance of nanosatellites using additively manufactured heat pipes made of metal. The almost limitless design freedom of 3D printing and the advantages of automated design development are being used to integrate new heat pipe concepts directly into complex three-dimensional structures.

Aviation requirements

Electric flying opens up new possibilities to drastically reduce atmospheric emissions and significantly lower noise pollution. The aircraft drive is based on closely spaced power electronic components with high thermal power density.

In these cases, specially designed heat pipe-based systems are necessary to significantly improve component heat dissipation.