CFD TECHNIQUES AND THEIR RELEVANCE TO MECHATRONICS

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a powerful technique for predict ing fluid flow and heat transfer in engineering systems. Exemplars are presented to demonstrate the relevance of CFD to mechatronics. Popula r CFD techniques and commercial packages are discussed. Predictions re levant to pneumatic actuators, magnetic bearings, enclosures containin g electronic components, solar-concentrators and inert gas electronic insulation are presented. The exemplars chosen illustrate the predicti on of: unsteady; three dimensional; turbulent; moving boundary; forced convection and free convection flows. The amount of time required to set up and run the exemplars is given and on average this is 12 min an d 2.5 h, respectively.