Finite-Difference Equations
and
Solutions
Chapter 4
Sections 4.4 and 4.5
Finite-Difference Method
Procedure:
Represent the physical system by a nodal network.
Use the energy balance method to obtain a finite-difference
equation for each node of unknown temperature.
Solve the resulting set of algebraic equations for the unknown
nodal temperatures.
Finite-Difference Approximation
E Eg 0
(4.30)
q(i )( m,n ) q x y l 0
i 1
Tm 1, n Tm, n
x
(4.31)
Is it possible for all heat flows to be into the m,n nodal region?
What feature of the analysis insures a correct form of the energy balance
equation despite the assumption of conditions that are not realizable?
q m 1, n m, n q m, n 1 m, n q m, n 0
Tm, n 1 Tm, n
y Tm 1, n Tm, n x
l
k
l
x
2
y
2
x
y
h
l T Tm, n h
l T Tm, n 0
2
2
or, with x y,
Tm 1, n Tm, n 1 2
hx
hx
T 2
1 Tm, n 0
k
k
(4.43)
q m, n 1 m, n
Rtot
Tm, n 1 Tm, n
Rtot
Rt, c
y / 2
y / 2
kA x l
x l kB
x l
(4.46)
Solution Methods
Solutions Methods
A T C
Coefficient
Matrix (NxN)
Solution
Solution Vector
(T1,T2, TN)
(4.48)
Right-hand Side Vector of Constants
(C1,C2CN)
T A1 C
(4.49)
j 1 aii
j i 1 aii
Schematic:
E&in 0
q1 q 2 qc 0
Tm,n-1 Tm,n
Tm+1,n Tm,n
k x 1
k y 1
y
x
2
x 1 T
hx
hx
Tm,n-1 Tm+1,n 2
T 2 2 Tm,n
k
k
Tm,n
0.
E&in =0
qa q b qc 0
x
qo
2
Tm+1,n Tm,n
y
x
k 1
h
2 T
2
x
hx
x
Tm+1,n 2
T q o
k
k
hx
Tm,n
k
Tm,n
0.
0.
0.
Problem 4.76: Analysis of cold plate used to thermally control IBM multi-chip,
thermal conduction module.
Features:
Heat dissipated in the chips is transferred
by conduction through spring-loaded
aluminum pistons to an aluminum cold
plate.
Nominal operating conditions may be
assumed to provide a uniformly
distributed heat flux of qo 105 W/m2
at the base of the cold plate.
Heat is transferred from the cold
plate by water flowing through
channels in the cold plate.
Find: (a) Cold plate temperature distribution
for the prescribed conditions. (b) Options
for operating at larger power levels while
remaining within a maximum cold plate
temperature of 40C.
Schematic: