SZShahrad Zomorrodi
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04 · Thermal Analysis

Pin-Fin Heat Sink Characterization

Experimental & Computational Study · Jan to Mar 2026

Convective heat transfer characterization of a bare plate and two pin-fin arrays across free convection, forced laminar, and forced turbulent flow regimes, simulated in Fusion 360.

+89%
Nusselt vs. bare
44.7 to 32.8 °C
surface temp
3
flow regimes
Pin-fin test articles on the heated plate.
Pin-fin test articles on the heated plate.
Fusion 360 thermal-gradient simulation of the V-pattern.
Fusion 360 thermal-gradient simulation of the V-pattern.

What

  • Convective heat transfer characterization of a bare plate and two pin-fin arrays.
  • Tested across free convection, forced laminar, and forced turbulent flow.

How

  • Measured Nusselt and Reynolds numbers, heat-transfer coefficients, and surface temperatures.
  • Fit a power-law Nu to Re correlation and verified against a Fusion 360 thermal simulation.

Results

  • V-pattern array raised the Nusselt number ~90% over the bare plate.
  • Surface temperature dropped from 44.7 °C to 32.8 °C at equal power.
  • Fit Nu = 0.220 · Re⁰·⁶⁷⁸; applicable to avionics cooling.

Tools & methods

  • Fusion 360 Thermal
  • Heat transfer
  • Power-law fitting
  • Lab instrumentation

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