Finite-element modeling of thermal performance for a novel water-cooled device used in switched mode power supply

This paper describes a novel water-cooled device used to cool secondary coils of a group of transformers in a switched mode power supply used for electroplating. The device includes a vertically bended copper board, with which a U type tube is welded. This simple device mounted on each coil tap can remove heat from three heat sources including the secondary coil, a diode under the coil tap, and two electrical resistors connected to the diode. A 3-D finite-element modeling of thermal performance of the device is presented to simulate temperature distribution of the three heat sources when they work steadily. The corresponding experimental results coincide with the simulation results, which reveal that this device can satisfy cooling requirements of the three heat sources. It has advantages of simple structure, high heat rejection efficiency and low cost.