Heat Sink Design Competition
Problem statement
Mitch, Chris, Tom, and Nick have entered the General Electric sponsored ASME Heat Sink Design Competition in hopes of designing, analyzing, optimizing the most efficient additively manufactured heat sink within the specified parameters. Throughout the first portion of the 351/352 track, our objective will be to direct heat flow away from temperature dependent instruments within theoretical electrical circuit elements. To accomplish this, we must consider relevant design criteria such as fin density, size, orientation, thickness, and shape to just note a few. Some combination of these inexhaustive parameters will result in a design that will divert and absorb the most heat flow. We will devise a capable sink that can help GE and the ASME learn more about how to more efficiently apply heat-drawing elements to their products that will in turn be used by millions of consumers. All heat sinks will be manufactured with A357 Aluminum with a base attachment that has a 2”x.25” cross sectional area, .13” chamfer, and 2” deep extrusion. Solidworks will be used to model different heat sink designs. To analyze our designs, COMSOL’s thermal simulation tools will be employed. With shorter competition timelines, we have decided to work with our faculty and TA advisor to work towards developing the essential knowledge and skill set to design, iterate, and test our models for competition entry next fall for the second segment of the design capstone track. We are confident that in the coming weeks we will be able to develop and hone these skills in order to be a serious contender in the ASME competition. (https://community.asme.org/htd_k_16_heat_transfer_electronic_equipment/w/wiki/16659.asme-k-16ieee-eps-heat-sink-challenge-past-years.asp) In our second semester – ME 352 track – we plan to test our improved models against competition outliers, used CFD to validate our results, and produce an amended model that would’ve won the competition if entered into the competition last semester.
Team members
Mitchell Faust – leader
Chris Harte – communicator
Thomas Mahota – accountant
Nick Blum – admin
Client
GE Heat Sink Competition, General Electric