An Index of the Various Types of Heat Pipes
Standard Heat Pipes
These act as a thermal superconductor (typically copper-water in terrestrial applications or for box-level space cooling, and aluminum-ammonia (CCHPs) in radiator designs in space applications).
Annular Heat Pipes
These heat pipes have an inner cavity and are highly isothermal.
Variable Conductance Heat Pipes (VCHPs)
These have a non-condensable gas loading to help maintain the evaporator temperature under changing conditions.
Pressure Controlled Heat Pipes
A form of VCHP where the reservoir size or gas loading can be changed.
Vapor Chambers
These allow heat flux transformation, and heat spreading in two dimensions.
HiK™ Plates
These are thermally enhanced conduction cards or plates. Embedding heat pipes greatly improves the effective thermal conductivity to 500-1200 W/m K.
Heat Pipe Heat Exchangers
Energy recovery systems for commercial buildings, contributing to carbon emission reduction efforts.
Diode Heat Pipes
A diode heat pipe is used when it is necessary to prevent heat flow in the reverse direction.
Loop Thermosyphons
Gravity-aided thermosyphon variant with different flow paths for the vapor and liquid.
Rotating Heat Pipes
Where the centrifugal forces generated in a rotating system return the fluid, rather than relying on a wick.
Loop Heat Pipes
These are passive, two-phase heat transport devices.
Heat Pipe Loops
This is a Heat Pipe variant with wick only in the evaporator, allowing operation over longer lengths.
