Two-Dimensional numerical parametric modeling of the capillary microgripper cooling system with unsteady fluid flow

Abstract

The paper presents a parametric analysis of a 2D model of a fluid cooling system for the hot side of a Peltier element of a capillary microgripper. An unsteady flow of coolant in the cooling chamber is considered. The cooling efficiency is studied for three chamber geometries with different radiator locations: monolithic, located on the Peltier element; with one or three ribs. Mathematical models are built: fluid flow through the microgripper chamber; heating the radiator with the hot side of the Peltier element; heat transfer from the radiator to fluid and the removal of the heated fluid from the chamber. The simulation is carried out in the FreeFem++ program until the average change in the temperature of the radiator over the period of fluid oscillations reaches saturation (microgripper operating mode). Using the method of orthogonal central compositional planning, analytical dependences of response functions (maximum temperature on the radiator, amplitude of temperature change on the radiator, and time to establish the operating mode) on model factors (average coolant velocity, heat transfer coefficient, frequency and amplitude of fluid velocity oscillations) are obtained. For each considered geometry and response function, leading and insignificant factors are determined. A parametric analysis of the influence of the physical parameters of the system on the operation of the cooling system was carried out. The simulation results show that the geometry that provides a high degree of cooling and a faster exit to the operating mode (radiator with three fins) has a large amplitude of temperature fluctuations on the radiator and can be used in technical devices that are less sensitive to temperature fluctuations on the radiator. The single fin radiator geometry provides the least radiator temperature fluctuation and can be used to cool capillary microgripper.