Difference between revisions of "Heat Sink"

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Heat sinks are cooling radiators, originating from the much-smaller versions used in early computers. They serve as a [[BattleMech]]'s means of protecting itself from internal damage caused by heat, as most 'Mechs' weapons easily cause enough heat to fry the machine's own electronics. Heat sinks operate by absorbing nearby heat in the 'Mech, and discharging it into the air when possible. BattleMechs usually have several integrated into their [[fusion engine]] to protect it, and nearly all have additonal ones mounted externally into the chassis. [[Double heat sink]]s have largely replaced normal heat sinks.  They dissipate twice as much heat for the same tonnage, but take up more space to operate effectively.
 
Heat sinks are cooling radiators, originating from the much-smaller versions used in early computers. They serve as a [[BattleMech]]'s means of protecting itself from internal damage caused by heat, as most 'Mechs' weapons easily cause enough heat to fry the machine's own electronics. Heat sinks operate by absorbing nearby heat in the 'Mech, and discharging it into the air when possible. BattleMechs usually have several integrated into their [[fusion engine]] to protect it, and nearly all have additonal ones mounted externally into the chassis. [[Double heat sink]]s have largely replaced normal heat sinks.  They dissipate twice as much heat for the same tonnage, but take up more space to operate effectively.
  
Heat sinks are also affected by the surrounding environment. For example, in a dry or hot environment, heat sinks work less effectively. Many 'Mechs on desert worlds often have to be refitted for the different conditions, or risk overheating from the compounded effects of weapons-fire and the environment. Conversely, heat sinks operating in cold regions and worlds dissapate heat much more effectively, as the environment's natively-cold temperature helps cool the BattleMech by default. This often leads to many garrisons on ice-worlds using a larger number of beam weapons, as they don't have to worry about heat as much. A 'Mech submerged in water, however, is often the one with the most effecient heat sinks, as they can pump water as well as coolant to cool the BattleMech.
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Heat sinks are also affected by the surrounding environment. For example, in a dry or hot environment, heat sinks work less effectively. Many 'Mechs on desert worlds often have to be refitted for the different conditions, or risk overheating from the compounded effects of weapons-fire and the environment. Conversely, heat sinks operating in cold regions and worlds dissipate heat much more effectively, as the environment's natively-cold temperature helps cool the BattleMech by default. This often leads to many garrisons on ice-worlds using a larger number of energy weapons, as they don't have to worry about heat as much. A 'Mech submerged in water, however, is often the one with the most effecient heat sinks, as they can pump water as well as coolant to cool the BattleMech.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
Heat sinks have been around since electronics have existed. The earliest forms used on a large scale were for microprocessors which, much like a 'Mech's beam weapons, were very powerful but generated a lot of heat. Fans could help to cool a whole computer, but strategically placed heat sinks were required to keep the processors from being damaged by the heat. When computerized weapons systems and lasers came into use on the battlefield, it was a logical jump to add large-scale heat sinks to these systems to widen their capabilities.
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Heat sinks have been around since electronics have existed. The earliest forms used on a large scale were for microprocessors which, much like a 'Mech's energy weapons, were very powerful but generated a lot of heat. Fans could help to cool a whole computer, but strategically placed heat sinks were required to keep the processors from being damaged by the heat. When computerized weapons systems and lasers came into use on the battlefield, it was a logical jump to add large-scale heat sinks to these systems to widen their capabilities.
  
 
It is also probable that when the ''[[Mackie]]'', the first BattleMech, was created, the [[Terran Hegemony]]'s engineers added heat sinks to the chassis to feed its powerful weapons. And, once the technology for BattleMechs was propagated, heat sinks were a staple of BattleMechs across the galaxy.
 
It is also probable that when the ''[[Mackie]]'', the first BattleMech, was created, the [[Terran Hegemony]]'s engineers added heat sinks to the chassis to feed its powerful weapons. And, once the technology for BattleMechs was propagated, heat sinks were a staple of BattleMechs across the galaxy.
  
 
[[Category:Technology]]
 
[[Category:Technology]]

Revision as of 23:25, 26 October 2007

Description

Heat sinks are cooling radiators, originating from the much-smaller versions used in early computers. They serve as a BattleMech's means of protecting itself from internal damage caused by heat, as most 'Mechs' weapons easily cause enough heat to fry the machine's own electronics. Heat sinks operate by absorbing nearby heat in the 'Mech, and discharging it into the air when possible. BattleMechs usually have several integrated into their fusion engine to protect it, and nearly all have additonal ones mounted externally into the chassis. Double heat sinks have largely replaced normal heat sinks. They dissipate twice as much heat for the same tonnage, but take up more space to operate effectively.

Heat sinks are also affected by the surrounding environment. For example, in a dry or hot environment, heat sinks work less effectively. Many 'Mechs on desert worlds often have to be refitted for the different conditions, or risk overheating from the compounded effects of weapons-fire and the environment. Conversely, heat sinks operating in cold regions and worlds dissipate heat much more effectively, as the environment's natively-cold temperature helps cool the BattleMech by default. This often leads to many garrisons on ice-worlds using a larger number of energy weapons, as they don't have to worry about heat as much. A 'Mech submerged in water, however, is often the one with the most effecient heat sinks, as they can pump water as well as coolant to cool the BattleMech.

History

Heat sinks have been around since electronics have existed. The earliest forms used on a large scale were for microprocessors which, much like a 'Mech's energy weapons, were very powerful but generated a lot of heat. Fans could help to cool a whole computer, but strategically placed heat sinks were required to keep the processors from being damaged by the heat. When computerized weapons systems and lasers came into use on the battlefield, it was a logical jump to add large-scale heat sinks to these systems to widen their capabilities.

It is also probable that when the Mackie, the first BattleMech, was created, the Terran Hegemony's engineers added heat sinks to the chassis to feed its powerful weapons. And, once the technology for BattleMechs was propagated, heat sinks were a staple of BattleMechs across the galaxy.