Design tool methodology for simulation of enclosure cooling performance

Abstract

Virtual design tools are becoming more and more relevant in industrial applications enabling upfront design performance charcateristics to be known prior to prototype build and testing. The use of these virtual design tool methodologies early in the design cycle can result not only in an increased understanding of the products performance but also in a lead-time reduction. In this work a detailed cooling performance simulation of an enclosed generator set was computed. Multiple rotating reference fames were used for the cooling fans. In parallel a simpified model was developed negating the radial cooling fan and replacing the engine cooling fan with a fan model. Measured fan performance data was used as a boundary conditon for the model. Both models yielded similar airflow rates and ventilation face velocity profiles. Based on the simplified fan modelling technique for cooling performance prediction, a design tool was implemented allowing the automation of geometry, meshing and solver runs. © 2008 Springer-Verlag London Limited.