A previous study by the authors on fin-shape optimization of a plate fin heat sink has concluded that a depopulated central zone, just under the center of the fan, provides a better thermal performance compared to the heat sink geometries with fin material under the fan. This study extends the previous work by investigating the effect of removal of fin material from the end fins, the total number of fins, and the reduction in the size of the hub fan. From this study, it is concluded that the removal of fin material from the end fins results in a better thermal and hydraulic performance of the heat sink. The reduction in the size of the hub causes a more uniform distribution of air inside the heat sink. The increase in the number of fins indicates a slightly better thermal performance, accompanied by a considerably increased pressure drop. Finally, a new optimal heat sink design has been reported by employing the actual fan operating characteristics.

Issue Section:
Research Papers
Keywords:
heat sinks, electronics packaging, thermal analysis
Topics:
Design, Heat sinks, Fins, Pressure drop, Optimization
1.
Sathe
,
S.
, and
Sammakia
,
B.
, 2004, “
An Analytical Study of the Optimized Performance of an Impingement Heat Sink
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ASME J. Electron. Packag.
1043-7398,
126
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4
), pp.
528
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534
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Crossref
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2.
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,
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, and
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Assessment of Overall Cooling Performance in Thermal Design of Electronics Based on Thermodynamics
,”
ASME J. Heat Transfer
0022-1481,
123
, pp.
999
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1005
.
Crossref
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4.
Bejan
,
A.
, 1977, “
The Concept of Irreversibility in Heat Exchanger Design: Counter Flow Heat Exchanger for Gas-to-Gas Application
,”
ASME J. Heat Transfer
0022-1481,
99
, pp.
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380
.
Crossref
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5.
Iyengar
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M.
, and
Bar-Cohen
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Least-Energy Optimization of Forced Convection Plate Fin Heat Sinks
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IEEE, CPMT
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Prediction of Thermal Performance of Flip-Chip-Plastic Ball Grid Array (FC-PBGA) Packages: Part 1: Effect of Die Sizes
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Proceedings—ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Heat Transfer Division
, New York,
ASME
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Copyright © 2006
 by American Society of Mechanical Engineers
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