A novel approach to Heatsink mass minimisation

Abstract

Typical Heatsink design includes deciding base and fin thickness, fin height, and fin gap optimization. In situations where material cost or mass of the heat sink are also a design priority, further optimization with respect to mass removal can be significant. This paper discusses a `Subtractive Design' method to further evolve the heat sink topology by the systematic removal of heat sink mass where the Thermal BottleNeck (BN) Number [1] was found to be lowest. The aim is to identify topologies that optimise the use of material but do not unduly affect thermal performance.