Teaching Capstone Thermal Systems Design Using ANSYS ICEPAK Based Projects

Abstract

This paper describes the use of ANSYS ICEPAK software in teaching a senior level capstone thermal systems design course in a Mechanical Engineering curriculum. The use of ANSYS ICEPAK software tools in the thermal design course allows our undergraduates the preparation they need to become competitive and productive in today’s private industry sector. The paradigm of learn-by-doing adopted by the college is used in the thermal design course by exposing students to the use of ANSYS ICEPAK software in order to complete a design project in the thermal design course. The senior level capstone thermal design course is a three-unit semester course. Students are broken into teams and are tasked to solve a variety of thermal-fluid, heat transfer related design problem scenarios. The student teams are tasked to design an electronic systems thermal management system using PCBS, fans, heat sinks, heat pipes, etc. in order to meet a set of pre-defined requirements. In this manner, the use of the ICEPAK projects serves to build the soft skills (report writing and technical presentation) of the students. This paper will include examples of ANSYS ICEPAK based thermal design projects and methods of assessment and illustrations of how the thermal design course addresses the Mechanical Engineering program’s ABET objectives and outcomes related to senior design capstone design courses.