Effect on noise emissions from varying distance between heat-sink fin to cooling fan blade tip

Authors

  • Colin Novak Dept. of Mechanical, Automotive and Materials Engineering, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ont.
  • Helen Ule Dept. of Mechanical, Automotive and Materials Engineering, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ont.
  • Robert Gaspar Dept. of Mechanical, Automotive and Materials Engineering, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ont.

Keywords:

Cooling, Fins (heat exchange), Graphic methods, Heat sinks, Turbomachine blades, Cooling fan blade tip, Graphics processing units (GPU), Heat-sink fin, Noise emissions

Abstract

The challenge to deliver performance improvements in computer graphic cards has surpassed the ability of finned, passive, cooling devices to dissipate the heat generated by next generation graphics processing units (GPU). The dissipation rates required by these latest GPU designs can only be delivered by more complicated thermal management systems which often require forced air cooling of finned heat sinks. The concurrent challenge to the industry is to provide this cooling while minimizing the noise generated by these cooling fans. One of the fundamental mechanisms for the generation of fan noise is the dynamic force fluctuations on the fan blade and how these fluctuations interact with fixed irregularities such as adjacent cooling fins. This study investigates the effect on the acoustic emissions resulting from the variation of the distance between the fan blade tips and the heat sink fins. A discussion and comparison of the measured results will be presented using both traditional analysis techniques as well as psychoacoustic or sound quality metrics. It was found that a minimum distance between the blade and adjacent obstructions is desired in order to minimize excessive noise levels. The minimization of the noise emissions also had a desirable effect on the sound quality analysis.

Additional Files

Published

2007-03-01

How to Cite

1.
Novak C, Ule H, Gaspar R. Effect on noise emissions from varying distance between heat-sink fin to cooling fan blade tip. Canadian Acoustics [Internet]. 2007 Mar. 1 [cited 2024 Apr. 18];35(1):55-9. Available from: https://jcaa.caa-aca.ca/index.php/jcaa/article/view/1871

Issue

Vol. 35 No. 1 (2007)

Section

Technical Articles

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