Multi-Objective Optimization of Pin-Fin Heatsinks

The multi-objective optimization of pin-fin heatsinks using a Kriging approximation model is presented based on systematic experimental results. Thermal resistance and pressure drop are the objective functions in this study. Pareto solutions to the objective functions are illustrated. We derived the design rules for the diameter, height, and pitches for the uniform staggered arrays of pin-fin heatsinks by correlating the objective functions with design variables. We also analyzed the contribution of all design variables to the thermal resistance as well as the pressure drop. We found that both the thermal resistance and the pressure drop are the most sensitive to the ratio of transverse pitch to pin-fin diameter.