Thermal Pipe Contact Model

Introduction

The thermal pipe contact model models a one-dimensional pipe with a thermal resistance per unit length of \(\eta\).

Formulation

The power in a thermal pipe model is updated by

(1)\[Q = -{\Delta T \over \eta L}\]

where \(\Delta T\) is the temperature difference between the two reservoirs on each end of the pipe (i.e. the two contacting thermal pieces), and \(L\) is the length of the thermal contact.

Activity Criterion

A thermal pipe contact model is active if the host mechanical contact model is active.

Model Parameters

Properties

Table 1: Thermal Pipe model properties

Keyword	Description	Symbol	Type	Range	Default	Modifiable	Inheritable
thermalpipe	Model name
thres	Thermal resistance	\(\eta\)	FLT	\([0.0,+\infty)\)	0.0	YES	YES
thexp	Thermal expansion coef.	\(\alpha\)	FLT	\([0.0,+\infty)\)	0.0	YES	NO
temperature	Termperature	\(T\)	FLT	\(\mathbb{R}\)	0.0	YES	NO

Property Inheritance

The thermal resistance can be inherited from the contacting thermal pieces, with:

(2)\[\eta = \eta^{(1)} + \eta^{(2)}\]

where \((1)\) and \((2)\) denote the properties of piece 1 and 2, respectively. The inheritance flag for this property must be set to true, and at least one contacting pieces must hold a property with this name. If one of the pieces does not hold that property, then the contact thermal resistance is set equal to the value set in the other piece.

Methods

The thermal pipe contact model does not define any method.

Energies

The thermal pipe contact model does not define any energy.

Callback Events

The thermal pipe contact model does not define any callback event.