Two-dimensional cylindrical and three-dimensional Cartesian thermal spreaders are studied. One of the surfaces is convectively coupled to a uniform environmental temperature while the opposite surface is subjected to a uniform heat flux distribution over a portion of its boundary. The problem is generalized through the introduction of appropriate dimensionless variables, and analytical solutions for the temperature field are presented for each coordinate system. The solutions depend on the usual geometric and heat transfer groups. It is found that, for a range of realistic Biot numbers and a given ratio of the spreader to heater dimensions, a dimensionless spreader thickness exists for which the temperature of the heater reaches a minimum value. Optimal thickness curves are presented for these ranges.
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Optimal Sizing of Planar Thermal Spreaders
S. Hingorani,
S. Hingorani
Mechanical Engineering Department, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849-5341
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C. J. Fahrner,
C. J. Fahrner
Mechanical Engineering Department, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849-5341
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D. W. Mackowski,
D. W. Mackowski
Mechanical Engineering Department, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849-5341
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J. S. Gooding,
J. S. Gooding
Mechanical Engineering Department, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849-5341
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R. C. Jaeger
R. C. Jaeger
Electrical Engineering Department, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849-5341
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S. Hingorani
Mechanical Engineering Department, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849-5341
C. J. Fahrner
Mechanical Engineering Department, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849-5341
D. W. Mackowski
Mechanical Engineering Department, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849-5341
J. S. Gooding
Mechanical Engineering Department, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849-5341
R. C. Jaeger
Electrical Engineering Department, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849-5341
J. Heat Transfer. May 1994, 116(2): 296-301 (6 pages)
Published Online: May 1, 1994
Article history
Received:
November 1, 1992
Revised:
August 1, 1993
Online:
May 23, 2008
Citation
Hingorani, S., Fahrner, C. J., Mackowski, D. W., Gooding, J. S., and Jaeger, R. C. (May 1, 1994). "Optimal Sizing of Planar Thermal Spreaders." ASME. J. Heat Transfer. May 1994; 116(2): 296–301. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2911399
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