Air flow, heat transfer over aluminum plate

[Nov1ce]

Designing an alum. automotive component that lives in the free airstream under a vehicle. Temperature inside is about 200° F. My question is which direction to orient grooves in the cover WRT the airstream, i.e., should the airflow be across the grooves in the cover (rather than along the grooves) to achieve more turbulence and better heat transfer?

 

[chicopee]

I would have the grooves oriented in the same direction (i.e. parallel) of air travel as you have more intimate moving air contact with the surfaces of the fins. With the grooves perpendicular to the direction of air travel, there is less contact with the entire surfaces of the fins. Eventhough, you may increase turbulence with the fins perpendicular to the direction od air travel, there is going to be less contact with the surfaces of the fins and the base of the fins probably will overheat.

 

[IRstuff]

You might consider pin fin or a flared fin heat sink?

https://www.qats.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/HowAirVelocityAffects_Qpedia08.pdf

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