Reliable Tubed Liquid Cold Plates

Tubed Liquid Cold Plates represent a time-tested, economical approach to liquid cooling. These cold plates feature copper or aluminum tubes mechanically bonded or epoxied into machined grooves in aluminum base plates. The simple yet effective construction provides reliable thermal performance at a lower cost point than more complex cold plate designs. Tubed cold plates excel in applications requiring moderate to high heat removal where space allows for their typically thicker profiles.

How It Works

Tubed liquid cold plates transfer heat through a straightforward thermal path: component heat conducts into the aluminum base plate, which spreads thermal energy laterally. The embedded copper or aluminum tubes are positioned in direct contact with the base plate through machined channels. Heat conducts from the base plate into the tube walls and then into the flowing coolant inside the tubes. The tube routing—typically serpentine or parallel paths—is designed to balance temperature uniformity versus pressure drop. Coolant enters through an inlet fitting, flows through the tube network absorbing heat, and exits through an outlet fitting to return to a cooling system or heat exchanger. The mechanical bond or thermal epoxy interface between tubes and base plate maintains excellent thermal contact despite thermal cycling and vibration.

Key Features

• Proven Reliability:Decades of field experience demonstrate long-term durability
• Cost-Effective Design:Simple construction reduces manufacturing costs
• Robust Construction: Mechanical bonding withstands vibration and thermal cycling
• Good Thermal Performance:Effective heat transfer for many industrial applications
• Tube Material Options: Copper tubes for maximum conductivity or aluminum for weight reduction
• Flexible Configurations:Various tube routing patterns and base plate sizes
• Standard and Custom: Off-the-shelf solutions or designs tailored to requirements
• Easy Maintenance:Simple design facilitates inspection and servicing