Fluid-Structure Interaction Model of a Synthetic Jet Using Coupled Computational Fluid Dynamics and Finite Elements

Synthetic jets offer new capabilities for localized active cooling of electronics due to their compact size, low cost and substantial cooling effectiveness. The design of devices to create synthetic jets and optimize active cooling performance is challenging due to the strong, two way, fluid-structure interaction (FSI) between the working fluid and the flexible structure that moves the fluid driven with piezoelectric actuators. Previous modeling efforts relied on lumped parameter approaches or electrical analogs. Although computationally less intensive, these approaches may not be accurate in all regions of the design space of interest and trade off fidelity for ease of use. In this effort, a 3D finite element model of the structure is coupled with a 3D computational fluid dynamics model of the fluid to explore the viability of such an approach. The motion of the structure moves the fluid grid, and the fluid feeds back pressure forces onto the structure that are required to converge at each iteration. Transient response of the deflection, pressure and exit velocity will be presented. Validation of the FSI model with experimental data for the frequency response of these quantities will also be presented.