Modeling a thermal analysis with non-geometric elements

Use the Non-Geometric Element (NGE) modeling object to fix either a temperature or a capacitance that is not associated with a physical location. If you fix the capacitance, you can model phase change within the NGE.

A non-geometric element is a calculation point in thermal models. It is not associated to a node or geometry and cannot be displayed graphically.

The following table lists modeling objects, simulation objects, loads, and constraints in which you can use Non-Geometric Element modeling objects.

Name	Type
Modeling objects
Active Heater Controller	All
Thermostat	All
Simulation objects
Advanced Controls	Generic Entity
Thermal Coupling	Total Conductance, only when the Distribution list is set to Per Element.Total ResistanceHeat Transfer CoefficientEdge Contact
Thermal Coupling – Advanced	User Function
Report	Per ElementBetween RegionsHeat Maps
Loads
Thermal Loads	Heat Load
Constraints
Initial Conditions	Initial Temperature

You can use non-geometric elements to model an object at a fixed temperature or fixed capacitance without having to create the geometry and the elements.

Example:

You could use a non-geometric element at a fixed temperature to model the contents inside a spacecraft. You could then couple the non-geometric element to the six surfaces of the main unit with a thermal coupling. By using a non-geometric element and a thermal coupling, you model the thermal behavior without creating several elements to represent the contents in the main unit of the spacecraft.

Spacecraft meshed with 2D elements

Where do I find it?

Application	Pre/Post
Command Finder	Modeling Objects
Menu	Insert→Modeling Objects
Location in dialog box	Type list→Non-Geometric Element→Create

How do I

Create a non-geometric element modeling object

Learn more

Active Heater Controller

Thermostat

Thermal Coupling

Thermal Coupling — Advanced

Report

Thermal Loads

Initial Conditions

Quick links

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Simcenter 3D Thermal/Flow, Electronic Systems Cooling, and Space Systems Thermal boundary conditions

Modeling a thermal analysis with non-geometric elements, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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