Using Heat Pipes to Cool Embedded Computers

Heat pipes are a well-known thermal management solution used in computing applications. Nearly all laptop computers contain some number of heat pipes to effectively remove heat from heat generating components like the CPU and GPU.

The heat pipes move heat from the CPU and/or GPU to the frame of the computer or a fin stack for heat rejection to the ambient. Naturally, heat pipes have made their way into high-power embedded computing systems. Modular embedded computing systems often utilize modular circuit card assemblies mounted to aluminum carrier cards. These CCA carrier card assemblies are then mounted into one of several slots in a chassis.