Investigation of thermal management options for robots

Abstract

This thesis research studies the thermal challenges of robots and evaluates the potential thermal management options. In this regard, it aims to develop and analyze various thermal management options for robotic systems. Ten different thermal management options are investigated theoretically in this thesis, such as forced air/liquid systems, heat pipes, thermal interface materials, thermoelectric generators, phase change materials, thermal insulating materials, etc. Three different thermal insulating materials (namely stone wool, fiberglass, and extruded polyurethane) and an air heating/cooling thermal management system are tested at both high and low temperatures. At 40⁰C, the energy efficiencies for the utilization of these thermal insulating materials are obtained 47.34% for the stone wool, 48.09% for the fiberglass, and 32% for the extruded polyurethane. At the same temperature, the exergy efficiencies for the utilization of these thermal insulating materials are 23.66% for the stone wool, 18.19% for the fiberglass, and 20.73% for the extruded polyurethane. At the -25⁰C, the energy efficiencies are 49.91% for the stone wool, 48.24% for the fiberglass, and 31.31% for the extruded polyurethane, while the exergy efficiencies for the stone wool, fiberglass, and extruded polyurethane are 17.25%, 21%, and 21.12%, respectively. On the other hand, the energy efficiency of the air cooling system is obtained 37.58% at 40⁰C, while the exergy efficiency is 5.89%. Finally, at -25⁰C, the energy efficiency of the air heating thermal management system is 27.32%, and its exergy efficiency becomes 3.60%, respectively.