Solid Model Based Preprocessor to CFD Code for Applications to Electronic Cooling Systems

Abstract

The use of a solid model based Computer Aided Design (CAD) tool as a preprocessor to a finite control-volume based Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code is presented. Preprocessing includes geometry description, grid generation, definition of material properties, application of boundary conditions, and definition of solution control parameters. The CAD based preprocessor, as opposed to traditional finite control-volume preprocessors, provides the above capabilities in a powerful graphic environment. Using a solid model based CAD tool, work is reduced, and visualization is enhanced employing the capabilities of the three-dimensional solid modeler. In addition, a technique which categorizes control volumes into groups comprising the solid and fluid portions of the problem domain is presented. At the completion of preprocessing, a model appropriate as input to a CFD code is generated. This model is then solved using the CFD program. The process is shown in a tutorial form by considering a two-dimensional turbulent flow problem in an electronic card on board package. Although the methodology shown in this paper focuses on specific CFD and Solid Model programs, the concept can readily be applied to other CFD and/or Solid Model programs.