Improvement of flow distribution and heat transfer performance of a self-similarity heat sink with a modification to its structure

Abstract

Numerical simulation work was carried out on flow distribution inside a Self-Similarity Heat sink (SSHS) due to its good heat removal ability for electronic systems. Effect of the geometrical parameters of the overflow channels on flow distribution are discussed. The simulation results proved that a significant flow maldistribution exists inside the SSHS, which has to be avoided in application. Modifications to the structure of a SSHS was put forward to overcome the problem and improve its overall performance. Both the inlet manifold channel and the inlet plenum were modified with tapered contracting structure to mitigate flow maldistribution inside the SSHS. Based on the analysis on a single unit of the modified SSHS, an optimized SSHS was presented with a heat exchange area of 10×10mm2, based on which the obtained data could be extended to a larger heating area with high heat dissipation requirement.