Thermal Management Consultants for Your Thermal Design

Posted by Thermal DS on April 1st, 2019

Today, almost all circuitry and electronic devices we use generate considerable amount of heat. Managing the excess heat generated by components has always been an essential element of electronic design. This process is truer even today, as individual components such as microprocessors continue to draw more energy to meet the demanding computational and functional requirements of current high-power applications. As a result, power densities continue to increase. To ensure reliability and proper performance, it is essential to transport away the excess heat from system hotspots and critical components and then reject it into the environment. When done properly, effective thermal management ensures improved usability, reliability and long life.

Whereas this task may at times be handled by the average engineer without significant issues, often, this comes with significant risk that can be very costly later in the design cycle. Thermal profile of a system is controlled by many variables that, at times, can conflict with one another. The seasoned thermal specialist will know what exactly controls the thermal performance of a given system and the optimal solution that is appropriate for the system. It is, therefore, highly advisable that you spend the necessary resources early in the design cycle to make sure that you get the necessary expertise and the job is done right the first time.

What is Thermal Management?

Thermal management is defined as the ability to control the temperature level of a system by means of heat transfer and thermodynamic principles. This task is normally achieved by passive and/or active heat management components built in or around the system. When properly designed, the thermal solution will ensure that the heat generated by the system is expelled to the environment while keeping the temperatures of critical components of the system below their design limits. Advancements in the electronics industry has led to increased needs for innovative thermal management technologies to manage temperature and improve reliability. On the material level, we have come a long way to meet the increased demand with newer, better and smaller thermal management components. On the analysis front, nowadays, almost all thermal designs require a degree of Thermal Analysis to determine the overall thermal profile of a given system before and after thermal solution. This has saved considerable time and expense that would otherwise go into excessive testing and prototyping.

Poorly designed thermal management system can be very costly later in the design cycle. In some cases, it may come to a point where it is impossible to find the space, or the flexibility needed, for effective thermal solution to address the issue. In such cases, the choice is between a complete redesign of the system (and the associated loss of time and resources) and going to market with a flawed product. All these problems are completely preventable if you plan ahead and seek the necessary expertise early on in the design cycle.

Thermal Design Solutions (www.thermalds.com) can help you meet your thermal management needs. With extensive experience in thermal design of many systems and components, the company can put you on a solid ground, so you know the thermal performance of your system is taken care of optimally and with certainty. Our team of highly experienced and professional thermal management consultants have a high level of expertise in:

• Thermal simulations
• Thermal experiments
• Active cooling solutions
• Passive cooling solutions
• Thermal interface material technologies
• Phase change materials, and
• Thermal insulation solutions

For more details, please contact us at info@thermalDS.com or call 408-439-9770. We will be happy to talk to you and discuss your project and your design options.