Optimized Thermoelectric Module-Heat Sink Assemblies for Precision Temperature Control.
Zhang, Rui.
2011
-
Abstract: Robust
precision temperature control of heat-dissipating photonics components is achieved by
mounting them on thermoelectric modules (TEMs) which are in turn mounted on heat sinks.
However, the power consumption of such TEMs is high. Indeed, it may exceed that of the
component. This problem is exacerbated when the ambient temperature surrounding a TEM
and/or component heat load that ... read moreit accommodates vary. In the usual packaging
configuration a TEM is mounted on an air-cooled heat sink of specified thermal
resistance. However, heat sinks of negligible thermal resistance minimize TEM power for
sufficiently high ambient temperatures and/or heat loads. Conversely, a relatively high
thermal resistance heat sink minimizes TEM power for sufficiently low ambient
temperature and heat load. In the problem considered, total footprint of thermoelectric
material in a TEM, thermoelectric material properties, component operating temperature,
relevant component-side thermal resistances and ambient temperature range are
prescribed. Moreover, the minimum and maximum rates of heat dissipation by the component
are zero and a prescribed value, respectively. Provided is an algorithm to compute the
combination of the height of the pellets in a TEM and the thermal resistance of the heat
sink attached to it which minimizes the maximum sum of the component and TEM powers for
permissible operating conditions. It is further shown that the maximum value of this sum
asymptotically decreases as the total footprint of thermoelectric material in a TEM
increases. Implementation of the algorithm maximizes the fraction of the power budget in
an optoelectronics circuit pack available for other uses. Use of the algorithm is
demonstrated through an example for a typical set of
conditions.
Thesis (M.S.)--Tufts University, 2011.
Submitted to the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.
Advisor: Marc Hodes.
Committee: Vincent Manno, and Ross Wilcoxon.
Keyword: Mechanical engineering.read less - ID:
- 79408846x
- Component ID:
- tufts:21075
- To Cite:
- TARC Citation Guide EndNote
