A control console containing a large number of electronic components was developed for a submarine. Reliable operation of the electronics required the heat generated inside the console to be removed effectively under demanding thermal conditions.
The electronic components generated more than 1 kW of heat. At the same time, the cooling-air supply temperature on board could be as high as 50 °C. The relatively small temperature difference available for cooling made the internal distribution of the cooling air particularly important.
FlowMotion therefore used CFD to analyse the airflow and heat transfer inside the console. A detailed three-dimensional model included the relevant electronic components, internal structures and cooling fans.
The simulations revealed the local velocity, pressure and temperature distributions throughout the enclosure. They also showed that relatively small changes in the position or geometry of internal components could substantially alter the cooling-air distribution and component temperatures.
Different configurations could therefore be evaluated before construction. Using the CFD analyses, a configuration was ultimately developed that met the thermal design objectives.
