Fin Design for Maximum

Thermal Dissipation
ME 450: Computer Aided Engineering Analysis

Instructor: Dr. Nema

Group Members:
Wei-Yuan Chu, Brad Holtsclaw, Nick Metzger,
Breanne Walters
Objectives
Maximize Thermal Dissipation by
Designing a Fin System that will Draw
Heat Away from the Engine Casing
Using Aluminum Alloy and Carbon Steel
as Materials, we will analyze which
material makes a better fin.
Introduction
Engine is used to run a small blower
It is assumed that the motor casing will be
subjected to cooling by a fan or other suitable
ventilation.
Main area of concern is drawing heat into the
fin system in order to dissipate it into the air.
Complete Assembly
Area of Interest
Theoretical Background
) (
' '
dz
dT
d
dT
dr
dT
k T k q k j i + + = A =
|
) (
' '
s
T T h q =

st E E E E out g in
- - - -
= +
l
X X
S
j
i

=
l
X X
S
i
j

=
;
Theoretical Background (Cont.)
b f
t
f
t t
A
NA
hA q u q
(

= ) 1 ( 1
b f t
A NA A + =
c f
wL A 2 =
2
t
L L
c
+ =
c
c
f
mL
mL tanh
= q
mL mk h mL
x L m mk h x L m
b
sinh ) / ( cosh
) ( sinh ) / ( ) ( cosh
+
+
=
u
u
Model Details (Solid Modeling)
Solid Models were created in Pro-Engineer and
Converted to IGES Files to Import into Ansys
Model Details (Type I)
SOLID 92
Element Type
5,829 Elements
10,706 Nodes
Model Details (Type II)
SOLID 92
Element Type
16,196 Elements
29,355 Nodes
Model Details (Type III)
SOLID 92
Element Type
16,196 Elements
29,355 Nodes
Boundary Conditions
Temperature of
65.56
o
C applied to
Internal Surface to
Simulate Operating
Conditions

Boundary Conditions (Cont.)
Ambient
Temperature of
10
o
C
Film Coefficient of
100 W/m*
o
C (for
cooling airspeed
of 10 m/s)
Results and Discussion:
S.S. Temperature Distribution
(Type I) Steel Top Fins
Carbon
Steel Top
Fins
Max.
Temp. in
Fins is
55.078
o
C
Results and Discussion:
S.S. Temperature Distribution
(Type I) Aluminum Top Fins
Aluminum
Top Fins
Max.
Temp. in
Fins is
60.218
o
C

Results and Discussion:
S.S. Temperature Distribution
(Type II) Steel Top Fins
Steel Top
Fins
Max.
Temp. in
Fins is
50.885
o
C

Results and Discussion:
S.S. Temperature Distribution
(Type II) Aluminum Top Fins
Aluminum
Top Fins
Max.
Temp. in
Fins is
55.777
o
C

Results and Discussion:
S.S. Temperature Distribution
(Type III) Steel Top and Side Fins
Steel Top
and Side
Fins
Max.
Temp. in
Fins is
50.885
o
C

Results and Discussion:
S.S. Temperature Distribution
(Type III) Aluminum Top and Side Fins
Aluminum
Top and
Side Fins
Max.
Temp. in
Fins is
55.777
o
C

Results and Discussion:
Transient Response
(Type III) Aluminum Top and Side Fins
Results and Discussion: Top Fin Design
Comparison Solutions
Length (m) thickness (m) width (m) Lc t P h k
0.019 0.002 0.210 0.020 0.002 0.423 100.000 53.000
Af Ab At m nf b qt
0.008 0.013 0.064 43.644 0.800 0.632 55.410 651.498
Length (m) thickness (m) width (m) Lc t P h k
0.019 0.002 0.210 0.020 0.002 0.423 100.000 252.000
Af Ab At m nf b qt
0.008 0.013 0.064 20.015 0.900 0.290 55.410 679.434
Steel Top Fins
Aluminum Top Fins
Temperature Distribution (Top Fins)
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05
Length (m)

b
Aluminum
Steel
Results and Discussion: Side Fin Design
Comparison Solutions
Length (m) thickness (m) width (m) Lc t P h k
0.051 0.004 0.229 0.053 0.004 0.465 100.000 53.000
Af Ab At m nf b qt
0.024 0.010 0.083 30.959 0.580 1.173 55.410 583.892
Length (m) thickness (m) width (m) Lc t P h k
0.051 0.004 0.229 0.053 0.004 0.465 100.000 252.000
Af Ab At m nf b qt
0.024 0.010 0.083 14.198 0.850 0.538 55.410 801.786
Steel Side Fins
Aluminum Side Fins
Temperature Distribution (Side Fins)
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05
Length (m)
t
/
t
b
Aluminum
Steel
Results and Discussion: Heat Transfer
Comparison for Type III Design
Top Fins (W) Top Fins (W)
Side Fins (W) Side Fins (W)
Total (W) Total (W)
q (W) 245.830
1481.220 1235.390
583.892
651.498
Total Heat Transferred by Aluminum Fins Total Heat Transferred by Steel Fins
679.434
801.786
Impact Statements
The Addition of Fins will Aid in the Heat
Dissipation from the Motor Casing, making the
Part More Safe for General Use

Motor Casing with Type III Fins Will have a
Reduced Surface Temperature and Less of a
Chance of Overheating the Interior Electronics
and Causing a Fire
Conclusions
Total Heat Transferred from Aluminum
Fin is 245.83 W Greater than that from
the Steel Fin.
Efficiency for Aluminum Fin is Greater
than that of Steel.
Aluminum is the Best Choice for the Fin
Material.
References


Nematollahi, Khosrow. "Oncourse, ME 450." Scheduled Reading and Assignments.
IUPUI. 23 Apr 2007
<https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/knematol/Filemanager_Public_Fil
es/ME450LectureNotesCh13r>.

Incropera, Frank, David Dewitt, and Theodore Bergman. Fundamentals of Heat and
Mass Transfer. 6th. Hoboken NJ: Wilet & Sons, 2007.

Rengifo, Gustavo. "Oncourse, ME 546." ME 546 Resources, Project #1. IUPUI. 23
Apr 2007 <https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/group/SP07-IN-ME-546-
26532/Lab%20Projects/Project%>.

Questions