Angled Fin Assembly with Openings for Avionics Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Avionics and electronics in aircraft face challenges in dissipating heat effectively due to increasing thermal production and power density, leading to thermal design limitations in performance and cooling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The use of a fin assembly with angled orientations and openings to enhance heat transfer, where fins are designed to increase surface area and improve convective cooling by directing airflow and fluid flow paths, and manufactured using additive manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing for complex geometries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional heat dissipation methods are used in avionics, then the system structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the heat dissipation efficiency is insufficient and cannot meet increasing power density requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The heat dissipation system is segmented into multiple functional components: base surface for heat conduction, multiple fins extending from the base for convection, and openings within fins for enhanced fluid flow. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific heat transfer function while collectively achieving superior overall heat dissipation efficiency that overcomes the limitations of traditional simple structures
Solution Approach 2:
The fin assembly transitions from traditional two-dimensional flat fin structures to three-dimensional complex geometries with openings, angled orientations, and multi-face configurations. This dimensional evolution enables the fins to interact with fluid flow in multiple directions and planes, dramatically increasing the effective heat transfer surface area and convective cooling efficiency without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity
2Productivity
If more heat dissipation surface area is added, then convective cooling efficiency improves, but the system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fin structure incorporates openings that create a porous-like configuration, allowing fluid to penetrate through the fin assembly rather than just flowing around external surfaces. This internal fluid penetration dramatically increases the effective heat transfer area within a compact volume, achieving high convective cooling efficiency without adding excessive weight compared to solid dense structures
Solution Approach 2:
The fin assembly integrates multiple material properties and structural characteristics: thermally conductive materials for the base surface, geometrically optimized fin configurations for convection, and strategically placed openings for fluid distribution. This composite approach combines different heat transfer mechanisms (conduction, convection, and fluid penetration) to maximize cooling efficiency per unit weight
3Volume of moving object
If fins are tightly grouped to save space, then the avionics chassis space is optimized, but heat dissipation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The fin assembly segments the heat dissipation function across multiple surfaces: base surface for direct heat conduction from the heat-producing component, and multiple fin surfaces extending in various directions for distributed convection. This segmentation allows tight grouping within the chassis while maintaining effective heat transfer pathways to surrounding air or coolant
Solution Approach 2:
The fins utilize three-dimensional spatial configuration with openings and angled orientations that enable heat dissipation in multiple directions simultaneously. This multi-directional approach allows the fin assembly to fit within constrained chassis volumes while still providing adequate heat transfer surface area and fluid flow pathways, effectively decoupling space utilization from heat dissipation capability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration achieves superior convective cooling efficiency, potentially increasing it by 5-10% or more, allowing for higher power density and efficient heat dissipation in constrained spaces, while reducing system weight.
Implementation Method 1
a base surface configured to transfer heat from a heat-producing component
Implementation Method 2
The set of fins is configured to dissipate heat from a heat producing component to fluid adjacent the set of fins
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for heat-dissipation utilizing a fin assembly including one or more fins organized on a wall or base surface. The fins can extend into a flow of fluid passing along the wall or base surface to convectively cool the fins, which can transfer heat from heat-producing components, such as electronics.