Computer chassis

zatze · July 26, 2011, 12:06

Hy,i am modeling a flow inside a computer chassis in Fluent,this is my project for B.sc.I have to find some kind of optimisation ,it may be a fan configuration or flow optimisation.Can somebody help me whith this topic?I want to improve the flow only,not the structure of heatsink.

Trev · July 27, 2011, 09:16

If you have access to it you would be better off using Icepak for this kind of problem. If not I would at least look at example cases using Icepak as this may give you some inspiration on which parameters to investigate.

zatze · July 27, 2011, 15:18

I have to invistigate this problem in Fluent,what do you think i have to change for optimisation and of course i have to think about cost!

Trev · July 28, 2011, 08:11

This really isn't an area I know much about.

If I was to do this though I would firstly look at which components generate the most heat and look at the temperature contour map cross section with and without a fan switched on. So you can compare the relative temperature variation for each component which will indicate which regions need increased air flow. Then place the fan at different locations or add extra fans to adjust the air flow to get a more uniform tempreture distribution.

So from a design perspective I would suggest a list of things to look at would be:

-Number of fans and/or location.
-Increase size of fan to increase air flow or to provide same airflow as smaller fan but at lower RPM to reduce noise levels.
-Include a shroud to direct airflow away from hot components and minimise regions of stagnation.
-Add an additional heatpipe to major heatsinks to spread thermal energy of hot components and placed to be in path of increased airflow.
-Possibly combine components into a single IC and increase the airflow in a more focused region.

These are just a few ideas off the top of my head related to overheating issues in an Xbox and how they were slowly fixed. Like I said before try looking at case studies or papers on this as there is bound to be a lot of material around on this with many different solutions.

If you want to do something a bit more challenging though with Fluent with regards to computer cooling. Try integrating both air and water cooling systems into your design.

zatze · July 28, 2011, 17:25

Thank you very much, i am going to try a shroud first!

chaos · July 29, 2011, 04:55

hi!

i'm always building my own cases for optimal cooling so maybe i could give you another tipp.

a lot of cases have a fan on the side of the case for the cpucooler. most of the time they destroy the whole laminar flow.

would be nice to demonstrate this negative effect in fluent

edit:
the optimal flow in a case schooled work like that:
faninlet on the bottom of the front.
fanoutlet on the top of the backside (fan at side of the motherboardconnections, power supply)
so in this case the flow goes from the bottom diagonal through the case.

another way is to install the power supply on the bottom of the case. (so the powersupplyfan isn't disturbing the flow in the case)

zatze · July 29, 2011, 08:45

Thank you,I "ll check it tonight at work

chaos · July 29, 2011, 09:11

another thing

the suction side of a fan is more laminar than the blow side.
that's really important for a optimal airflow in a case

as my professor always said: sucking is always better than blowing

zatze · August 2, 2011, 02:38

Hi,this is me again.I have a question about computer fan modeling.When i have to define a pressure ,which kind of (constant,polynomial..) and how to define a mathematical sign of pressure on intake fan and exhaust fan?I can not find a good explanation in my tutorial,and always work with velocity inlet and pressure outlet
Thank you.

July 26, 2011, 12:06	Computer chassis	#1
zatze New Member Udjin Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 15	Hy,i am modeling a flow inside a computer chassis in Fluent,this is my project for B.sc.I have to find some kind of optimisation ,it may be a fan configuration or flow optimisation.Can somebody help me whith this topic?I want to improve the flow only,not the structure of heatsink.

July 27, 2011, 15:18	Computer chassis	#3
zatze New Member Udjin Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 15	I have to invistigate this problem in Fluent,what do you think i have to change for optimisation and of course i have to think about cost!

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July 27, 2011, 09:16		#2
Trev Member Neil Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Moon Posts: 42 Rep Power: 17	If you have access to it you would be better off using Icepak for this kind of problem. If not I would at least look at example cases using Icepak as this may give you some inspiration on which parameters to investigate.

July 28, 2011, 08:11		#4
Trev Member Neil Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Moon Posts: 42 Rep Power: 17	This really isn't an area I know much about. If I was to do this though I would firstly look at which components generate the most heat and look at the temperature contour map cross section with and without a fan switched on. So you can compare the relative temperature variation for each component which will indicate which regions need increased air flow. Then place the fan at different locations or add extra fans to adjust the air flow to get a more uniform tempreture distribution. So from a design perspective I would suggest a list of things to look at would be: -Number of fans and/or location. -Increase size of fan to increase air flow or to provide same airflow as smaller fan but at lower RPM to reduce noise levels. -Include a shroud to direct airflow away from hot components and minimise regions of stagnation. -Add an additional heatpipe to major heatsinks to spread thermal energy of hot components and placed to be in path of increased airflow. -Possibly combine components into a single IC and increase the airflow in a more focused region. These are just a few ideas off the top of my head related to overheating issues in an Xbox and how they were slowly fixed. Like I said before try looking at case studies or papers on this as there is bound to be a lot of material around on this with many different solutions. If you want to do something a bit more challenging though with Fluent with regards to computer cooling. Try integrating both air and water cooling systems into your design.

July 28, 2011, 17:25		#5
zatze New Member Udjin Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 15	Thank you very much, i am going to try a shroud first!

July 29, 2011, 04:55		#6
chaos New Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 20 Rep Power: 16	hi! i'm always building my own cases for optimal cooling so maybe i could give you another tipp. a lot of cases have a fan on the side of the case for the cpucooler. most of the time they destroy the whole laminar flow. would be nice to demonstrate this negative effect in fluent edit: the optimal flow in a case schooled work like that: faninlet on the bottom of the front. fanoutlet on the top of the backside (fan at side of the motherboardconnections, power supply) so in this case the flow goes from the bottom diagonal through the case. another way is to install the power supply on the bottom of the case. (so the powersupplyfan isn't disturbing the flow in the case)

July 29, 2011, 08:45		#7
zatze New Member Udjin Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 15	Thank you,I "ll check it tonight at work

July 29, 2011, 09:11		#8
chaos New Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 20 Rep Power: 16	another thing the suction side of a fan is more laminar than the blow side. that's really important for a optimal airflow in a case as my professor always said: sucking is always better than blowing

August 2, 2011, 02:38		#9
zatze New Member Udjin Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 15	Hi,this is me again.I have a question about computer fan modeling.When i have to define a pressure ,which kind of (constant,polynomial..) and how to define a mathematical sign of pressure on intake fan and exhaust fan?I can not find a good explanation in my tutorial,and always work with velocity inlet and pressure outlet Thank you.