Define Fin efficiency:

where represents an idealized situation such that the fin is made up

of material with infinite thermal conductivity. Therefore, the fin should
be at the same temperature as the temperature of the base.
f



q
q
q
q hA T T
f
f b
max
max
max
( )
Fin Efficiency
Overall fin efficiency for an array of fins:
1. A
b
: Base area exposed to coolant
2. A
f
: Surface area of a single fin
3. A
t
: Total area including base area
4. Total finned surface, A
t
=A
b
+NA
f
5. N: total number of fins
( ) ( )
[( ) ]( ) [ (1 )]( )
[1 (1 )]( ) ( )
Define overall fin efficiency: 1 (1 )
t b f b b f f b
t f f f b t f f b
f
t f b O t b
t
f
O f
t
q q Nq hA T T N hA T T
h A NA N A T T h A NA T T
NA
hA T T hA T T
A
NA
A

q
b

q
f

Thermal Resistance Concept
T
1

T

T
b

T
2

T
1
T

T
b
T
2

L
1

t
R
1
=L
1
/(k
1
A)
R
b
=t/(k
b
A)
) /( 1
, O t O t
hA R
1 1
1 , b t O
T T T T
q
R R R R

A=A
b
+NA
b,f