Theory for the Lumped Thermal System Interface
The Lumped Thermal System Interface uses a discrete network representation of thermal systems to model heat transfer by analogy with electrical circuits. The domain and boundary conditions for heat transfer are idealized by components joined by a network of perfectly thermally conductive wires.
The analogy with electrical circuits is made by considering the temperature difference across the network components as the effort variable, and the heat rate through the network component as the flow variable.
By solving for heat balance within the circuit, the temperatures at the nodes in the circuit can be determined.
This section presents the underlying theory of the Lumped Thermal System interface, and the resulting heat transfer equations that hold.
In this section:
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Temperature Differences and Heat Rates in the Lumped Thermal System
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Theory for the Conductive Thermal Resistor Component
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Theory for the Radiative Thermal Resistor Component
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Theory for the Thermal Capacitor and Thermal Mass Components
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Theory for the Heat Pipe Component
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Theory for the Thermoelectric Module Component