Comprehensive Thermal Management Design

To achieve the required levels of efficiency, performance, reliability, and survivability in the Army's next generation of weapon systems and tactical vehicles, designers need to comprehensively model the integrated performance of vehicle components early in the design process. ThermoAnalytics proposes to create an integrated vehicle design tool geared towards efficient thermal management, versatile propulsion capability, and cost-effective signature control. This tool, based on the proven MuSES and RadTherm analysis codes, will consist of detailed, system-ready models of components such as heat exchangers, cooling loops, heat pipes, fluid pumps, and temperature-dependent drivetrain component models. Since airflow is an important factor in thermal management, ThermoAnalytics will incorporate application-specific convection models based on CFD solutions into the component models. This combination of fluid and thermal is essential to optimize the cooling system under the wide variety of operating and environmental conditions that military assets are subjected to. To validate the design tool ThermoAnalytics is collaborating with Engineered Machined Products, Michigan Technological University, and Clemson University. The virtual prototyping thermal management design tool will be tied closely with CAD and Product Data Management systems to facilitate the integration of the tool with other analysis and design codes.