Compact Modeling of Forced Flow in Longitudinal Fin Heat Sinks With Tip Bypass

This paper introduces a compact model to predict the interfin velocity and the resulting pressure drop across a longitudinal fin heat sink with tip bypass. The compact model is based on results obtained from a comprehensive study into the behavior of both laminar and turbulent flow in longitudinal fin heat sinks with tip bypass using CFD analysis. The new compact flow prediction model is critically compared to existing compact models as well as to the results obtained from the CFD simulations. The results indicate that the new compact model shows at least a 4.5% improvement in accuracy predicting the pressure drop over a wide range of heat sink geometries and Reynolds numbers simulated. The improved accuracy in velocity distribution between the fins also increases the accuracy of the calculated heat transfer coefficients applied to the heat sinks.