Patent Publication Number: US-2023138556-A1

Title: Test system for evaluating thermal performance of a heatsink

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     A heatsink is a passive heat exchanger that transfers heat generated by an electronic device or a mechanical device to a fluid medium (e.g., air or a liquid coolant), where the heat is dissipated away from the device, thereby allowing regulation of a temperature of the device. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some implementations described herein relate to a test fixture for a heatsink. The test fixture may include a probe assembly with a thermocouple probe configured to removably contact a bottom surface of a pedestal of the heatsink, and measure a surface temperature of the heatsink. The test fixture may include an insulator housing configured to house the probe assembly and a heater block, and to insulate the probe assembly from the heater block. The heater block may be provided within the insulator housing and may be configured to provide heat to the heatsink via the bottom surface of the pedestal of the heatsink. The test fixture may include a mounting block connected to the insulator housing and configured to connect to the heatsink. 
     Some implementations described herein relate to a test system for a heatsink. The test system may include a test fixture that includes a probe assembly with a thermocouple probe configured to removably contact a bottom surface of a pedestal of the heatsink, and measure a surface temperature of the heatsink. The test fixture may include an insulator housing configured to house the probe assembly and a heater block, and to insulate the probe assembly from the heater block. The heater block may be provided within the insulator housing and may include one or more heaters configured to provide heat to the heatsink via the bottom surface of the pedestal of the heatsink. The test fixture may include a mounting block connected to the insulator housing and configured to connect to the heatsink. The test system may include a computing device configured to provide power to the one or more heaters to cause the one or more heaters to provide heat to the heatsink via the bottom surface of the pedestal of the heatsink. The computing device may be configured to receive a temperature reading from the thermocouple probe, and calculate a thermal resistance of the heatsink based on the temperature reading. 
     Some implementations described herein relate to a probe assembly of a test fixture for a heatsink. The probe assembly may include a thermocouple probe configured to measure a surface temperature of the heatsink, and a base portion with an opening for receiving the thermocouple probe. The probe assembly may include a spring-loaded collet assembly connected to the thermocouple probe via the opening of the base portion and configured to cause the thermocouple probe to removably contact a bottom surface of a pedestal of the heatsink. The probe assembly may include a thermocouple cable connected to the thermocouple probe and configured to communicate the surface temperature of the heatsink. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS.  1 A- 1 I  are diagrams of an example test system for evaluating thermal performance of a heatsink. 
         FIG.  2    is a diagram of an example thermal management system of the test system of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a diagram of example components of a computing device of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a flowchart of an example process for utilizing a test system for evaluating thermal performance of a heatsink. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description of example implementations refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. 
     Heatsink performance may be determined based on a surface/air thermal resistance (R sa ) between a surface of a heatsink pedestal and inlet air conditions. In addition to air flow rate and heat dissipation through the heatsink, temperatures of the inlet air and the pedestal surface may be measured to verify the heatsink performance in terms of the thermal resistance. The thermal resistance of a heatsink is typically measured by machining a groove or boring a small hole parallel to the pedestal surface and attaching a thermocouple near a center of the pedestal surface. This allows the pedestal surface to be measured without disturbing the thermal interface. Unfortunately, such a measurement technique is very time consuming, resource intensive, and destructive to the heatsink. Furthermore, changes in heatsink manufacturing processes, heatsink suppliers, and/or the like may require frequent heatsink testing and verification to ensure that the changes provide a heatsink with a reliable performance. Thus, current techniques for measuring a thermal resistance of a heatsink consume computing resources (e.g., processing resources, memory resources, communication resources, and/or the like), machine resources, and/or the like associated with destroying heatsinks being tested until the thermal resistance satisfies a threshold thermal resistance, machining heatsinks and attaching thermocouples to measure the thermal resistances, and/or the like. 
     Some implementations described herein relate to a test system for evaluating thermal performance of a heatsink. For example, the test system may include a test fixture that includes a probe assembly with a thermocouple probe configured to removably contact a bottom surface of a pedestal of the heatsink, and measure a surface temperature of the heatsink. The test fixture may include an insulator housing configured to house the probe assembly and a heater block, and to insulate the probe assembly from the heater block. The heater block may be provided within the insulator housing and may include one or more heaters configured to provide heat to the heatsink via the bottom surface of the pedestal of the heatsink. The test fixture may include a mounting block connected to the insulator housing and configured to connect to the heatsink. The test system may include a computing device configured to provide power to the one or more heaters to cause the one or more heaters to provide heat to the heatsink via the bottom surface of the pedestal of the heatsink. The computing device may be configured to receive a temperature reading from the thermocouple probe, and to calculate a thermal resistance of the heatsink based on the temperature reading. 
     In this way, a test system may be provided for evaluating thermal performance of a heatsink. For example, the test system may include a test fixture with a heater block and an insulator housing configured to support and thermally insulate the heater block. Heaters may be provided in the heater block. The test fixture may include a probe assembly with a thermocouple probe provided through a center portion of the heater block and engaging a pedestal surface of a heatsink to be tested when the heatsink is attached to the test fixture. The heatsink may be mounted to an insulator top of the insulator housing. The test fixture may be easy to reset between tests without damaging the heatsink, thermocouples, or any other part of the test fixture. Thus, the test system provides a non-destructive way to test the thermal performance of the heatsink and conserves computing resources, machine resources, and/or the like associated with destroying heatsinks being tested until the thermal resistance satisfies a threshold thermal resistance, machining heatsinks and attaching thermocouples to measure the thermal resistances, and/or the like. 
       FIGS.  1 A- 1 I  are diagrams of an example 100 associated with a test system  105  for evaluating thermal performance of a heatsink  120 . As shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 I , the test system  105  includes a test fixture  110  and a computing device  115 . Further details of the test fixture  110 , the computing device  115 , and the heatsink  120  are provided elsewhere herein. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1 A , the test fixture  110  may include an insulator bottom  125 , an insulator housing  130 , an insulator top  135 , and a mounting block  140  connected to the heatsink  120  being tested. The heatsink  120  may include a passive heat exchanger that transfers heat generated by an electronic device or a mechanical device to a fluid medium (e.g., air or a liquid coolant), where the heat is dissipated away from the device, thereby allowing regulation of a temperature of the device. Further details of the heatsink  120  are provided below in connection with  FIG.  1 C . The insulator bottom  125  may connect to the insulator housing  130 . The insulator housing  130  may connect to the insulator top  135  and may include openings for receive heater power cables for heaters provided in the test fixture  110 . The mounting block  140  may connect to the insulator top  135  and may retain the heatsink  120  for testing. Further details of the insulator bottom  125 , the insulator housing  130 , the insulator top  135 , and the mounting block  140  are provided elsewhere herein. 
       FIG.  1 B  is an exploded perspective view of the test fixture  110  and the heatsink  120 . As shown, the test fixture  110  may include the insulator bottom  125 , the insulator housing  130 , the insulator top  135 , the mounting block  140 , a heater block  145 , heaters  150 , and a probe assembly  155  with a thermocouple probe  160 . 
     The insulator bottom  125  may be configured to receive and retain a bottom portion of the probe assembly  155  and to thermally insulate the bottom portion of the probe assembly  155  from the heater block  145 . The insulator bottom  125  may be made from a variety of materials, such as polystyrene, polyurethane, a fiberglass-epoxy laminate material, and/or the like. The insulator bottom  125  may be sized and shaped depending on the size and shape of the heatsink  120  being tested. For example, the size of the insulator bottom  125  may increase as the size of the heatsink  120  increases, and the size of the insulator bottom  125  may decrease as the size of the heatsink  120  decreases. As further shown in  FIG.  1 B , a plurality of connectors (e.g., screws, bolts, and/or the like) may be utilized to connect the insulator bottom  125  to the insulator housing  130 . Further details of the insulator bottom  125  are provided below in connection with  FIG.  1 H . 
     The insulator housing  130  may be configured to receive and retain a top portion of the probe assembly  155  and a base portion of the heater block  145 . The insulator housing may also be configured to thermally insulate the top portion of the probe assembly  155  from the heater block  145 . The insulator housing  130  may be made from a variety of materials, such as polystyrene, polyurethane, a fiberglass-epoxy laminate material, and/or the like. The insulator housing  130  may be sized and shaped depending on the size and shape of the heatsink  120  being tested. For example, the size of the insulator housing  130  may increase as the size of the heatsink  120  increases, and the size of the insulator housing  130  may decrease as the size of the heatsink  120  decreases. Further details of the insulator housing  130  are provided below in connection with  FIG.  1 F . 
     The insulator top  135  may be configured to receive and retain a top portion of the heater block  145  and to connect to the mounting block  140 . The insulator top  135  may be configured to thermally insulate the mounting block  140  from the heater block  145 . The insulator top  135  may be made from a variety of materials, such as polystyrene, polyurethane, a fiberglass-epoxy laminate material, and/or the like. The insulator top  135  may be sized and shaped depending on the size and shape of the heatsink  120  being tested. For example, the size of the insulator top  135  may increase as the size of the heatsink  120  increases, and the size of the insulator top  135  may decrease as the size of the heatsink  120  decreases. As further shown in  FIG.  1 B , a plurality of connectors (e.g., screws, bolts, and/or the like) may be utilized to connect the insulator top  135  and the mounting block  140  to the insulator housing  130 . Further details of the insulator top  135  are provided below in connection with  FIG.  1 D . 
     The mounting block  140  may connect to the insulator top  135  via a connection mechanism (e.g., glue, screws, bolts, and/or the like). The mounting block  140  may be configured to receive and retain the heatsink  120 . The mounting block  140  may be made from a variety of materials, such as aluminum, steel, and/or the like. The mounting block  140  may be sized and shaped depending on the size and shape of the heatsink  120  being tested. For example, the size of the mounting block  140  may increase as the size of the heatsink  120  increases, and the size of the mounting block  140  may decrease as the size of the heatsink  120  decreases. As further shown in  FIG.  1 B , a plurality of connectors (e.g., screws, bolts, springs and/or the like) may be utilized to connect the heatsink  120  to the mounting block  140 . Further details of the mounting block  140  are provided below in connection with  FIG.  1 D . 
     The heater block  145  may be configured to provide heat to the heatsink  120  via a bottom surface of a pedestal of the heatsink  120 . A base portion of the heater block  145  may be received and retained in an opening of the insulator housing  130 , and a top portion of the heater block  145  may be received and retained through an opening provided through the insulator top  135  and the mounting block  140 . The top portion of the heater block  145  may contact and provide heat to the bottom surface of the pedestal of the heatsink  120 . The heater block  145  may be made from a variety of materials, such as copper, tungsten, aluminum, and/or the like. The heater block  145  may be sized and shaped depending on the size and shape of the heatsink  120  being tested. For example, the size of the heater block  145  may increase as the size of the heatsink  120  increases, and the size of the heater block  145  may decrease as the size of the heatsink  120  decreases. As further shown in  FIG.  1 B , the base portion of the heater block  145  may include openings for receiving and retaining the heaters  150 . Further details of the heater block  145  are provided below in connection with  FIG.  1 E . 
     The heaters  150  may be configured to provide heat to the heater block  145  when power is provided to the heaters  150  via the heater power cables. In some implementations, the heaters  150  may be provided in openings of the heater block  145  and may heat the heater block  145  from within the openings. In some implementations, each of the heaters  150  may include a cartridge heater, which is a tube-shaped, industrial heating element that can be inserted into drilled holes. In such implementations, each of the heaters  150  may include a resistance coil wound around a ceramic core that is surrounded by a dielectric material and encased in a metal sheath. Powered heat may be transferred through the resistance coil to the metal sheath. The metal sheath may transfer the heat to an inside of the heater block  145 . 
     The probe assembly  155  may include a base portion with an opening for receiving the thermocouple probe  160 , and a spring-loaded collet assembly connected to the thermocouple probe  160  via the opening of the base portion and configured to cause the thermocouple probe  160  to removably contact a bottom surface of a pedestal of the heatsink  120 . The probe assembly  155  may also include a thermocouple cable connected to the thermocouple probe  160  and configured to communicate the surface temperature of the heatsink  120 . A bottom portion of the probe assembly  155  may be received and retained in an opening of the insulator bottom  125 , and the base portion of the probe assembly  155  (e.g., and a portion of the thermocouple probe  160 ) may be received and retained in an opening of the insulator housing  130 . The probe assembly  155  may be made from a variety of materials, such as a metal (e.g., aluminum), a plastic, and/or the like. The probe assembly  155  may be sized and shaped depending on the size and shape of the heatsink  120  being tested. For example, the size of the probe assembly  155  may increase as the size of the heatsink  120  increases, and the size of the probe assembly  155  may decrease as the size of the heatsink  120  decreases. Further details of the probe assembly  155  are provided below in connection with  FIG.  1 G . 
     The thermocouple probe  160  may be configured to removably contact a bottom surface of a pedestal of the heatsink  120 , and measure a surface temperature of the heatsink  120 . The thermocouple probe  160  may include a rod through which a thermocouple and the thermocouple cable (e.g., connected to the thermocouple) is provided. A portion of the rod may be provided through an opening provided in the heater block  145  so that the thermocouple may removably contact the bottom surface of the pedestal of the heatsink  120 . The thermocouple may include an electrical device with dissimilar electrical conductors forming an electrical junction. The thermocouple may generate a temperature-dependent voltage as a result of the Seebeck effect, and this voltage may provide a measurement of temperature. Further details of the thermocouple probe  160  are provided below in connection with  FIG.  1 G . 
       FIG.  1 C  is a side view of the heatsink  120  to be tested by the test system  105 . The heatsink  120  may be formed from a variety of materials, such as an aluminum alloy, copper, and/or the like. The heatsink  120  may include a variety of sizes and shapes that depend upon a size and a shape of a device or a component to be cooled by the heatsink  120 . As shown in  FIG.  1 C , the heatsink  120  may include a base portion  165  that supports a plurality of fins  170 , and a pedestal  175  that supports the base portion  165 . The base portion  165  may include a plate on which the fins  170  are formed. Each fin  170  may include a flat plate configured to receive heat flowing in one end and to dissipate the heat into a surrounding fluid. As heat flows through the fin  170 , a combination of a thermal resistance of the heatsink  120  impeding the flow and the heat lost due to convection, the temperature of the fin  170  and, therefore, the heat transfer to the fluid, may decrease from the base portion  165  to the end of the fin  170 . The pedestal  175  may be formed with the base portion  165  and may include the portion of the heatsink  120  that contacts a device or a component to be cooled by the heatsink  120 . 
       FIG.  1 D  is a perspective view of the insulator top  135  and the mounting block  140  of the test fixture  110 . As shown, openings may be provided through the insulator top  135  and the mounting block  140 . The openings may receive the connectors (as shown in  FIG.  1 B ) that connect the insulator top  135  and the mounting block  140  to the insulator housing  130 . Another opening may be provided through the insulator top  135  and the mounting block  140 . The other opening may be sized and shaped to receive and retain the top portion of the heater block  145 . As further shown in  FIG.  1 D , connectors may connect to and extend away from the mounting block  140 . The connectors shown in  FIG.  1 D  may receive the connectors shown in  FIG.  1 B  so that the heatsink  120  and the mounting block  140  may be connected. 
       FIG.  1 E  is a perspective view of the heater block  145  of the test fixture  110 . As shown, the heater block  145  may include a base portion  180  and a top portion  185 . The base portion  180  of the heater block  145  may be received and retained in an opening of the insulator housing  130 , and the top portion  185  of the heater block  145  may be received and retained through the opening provided through the insulator top  135  and the mounting block  140  (as shown in  FIG.  1 D ). The top portion  185  of the heater block  145  may contact and provide heat to the bottom surface of the pedestal  175  of the heatsink  120 . Openings may be provided in the base portion  180  of the heater block  145 . The openings may receive and retain the heaters  150  and may enable the heaters  150  to heat the heater block  145 . As further shown in  FIG.  1 E , another opening may be provided through the base portion  180  and the top portion of the heater block  145 . The other opening may receive and retain a portion of thermocouple probe  160  and enable the top of the thermocouple probe  160  to removably contact the bottom surface of the pedestal  175  of the heatsink  120  and to measure the surface temperature of the heatsink  120 . 
       FIG.  1 F  is a perspective view of the insulator housing  130  of the test fixture  110 . As shown, the insulator housing  130  may include a body portion. The body portion may include an opening to receive and retain the base portion  180  of the heater block  145 . The body portion may also include openings through which the heaters  150  may be provided to the openings of the base portion of the heater block  145 . The body portion may include other openings that may receive the connectors that connect the insulator top  135  and the mounting block  140  to the insulator housing  130 . In some implementations, the insulator housing  130  may insulate the probe assembly  155  from the heater block  145 . 
       FIG.  1 G  is a perspective view of the probe assembly  155  of the test fixture  110 . As shown, the probe assembly  155  may include the thermocouple probe  160  and a base portion  190  with an opening for receiving the thermocouple probe  160 . The probe assembly  155  may include a spring-loaded collet assembly  195  connected to the thermocouple probe  160  via the opening of the base portion  190  and configured to cause the thermocouple probe  160  to removably contact the bottom surface of the pedestal  175  of the heatsink  120 . For example, the spring-loaded collet assembly  195  may force a tip of the thermocouple probe  160  to extend slightly above a top surface of the top portion  185  of the heater block  145  so that the thermocouple probe  160  may contact the bottom surface of the pedestal  175  of the heatsink  120 . 
     As further shown in  FIG.  1 G , the probe assembly  155  may include a thermocouple cable connected to the thermocouple probe  160  and configured to communicate the surface temperature of the heatsink  120 , measured by the thermocouple probe  160 , to the computing device  115 . In some implementations, the thermocouple probe  160  may include a thermocouple and a two-hole ceramic rod through which the thermocouple is provided and connected to the thermocouple cable. The thermocouple may measure the surface temperature of the heatsink  120 . The surface temperature of the heatsink, as measured by the thermocouple, may provide a measure of a thermal resistance of the heatsink  120 . A portion of the thermocouple probe  160  may be configured to pass through the opening of a heater block  145  (as shown in  FIG.  1 E ). 
       FIG.  1 H  is a perspective view of the insulator bottom  125  of the test fixture  110 . As shown, openings may be provided through the insulator bottom  125 . The openings may receive the connectors (as shown in  FIG.  1 B ) that connect the insulator bottom  125  to the insulator housing  130 . Another opening may be provided in the insulator bottom  125 . The other opening may be sized and shaped to receive and retain a bottom portion of the probe assembly  155  and to thermally insulate the bottom portion of the probe assembly  155  from the heater block  145 . 
       FIG.  1 I  is a cross-sectional view, taken along line A-A shown in  FIG.  1 A , of the test fixture  110 . As shown in  FIG.  1 I , the insulator bottom  125  may connect to the insulator housing  130  and may receive and retain the bottom portion of the probe assembly  155 . The insulator housing  130  may receive and retain the top portion of the probe assembly  155  and the thermocouple probe  160 , and may receive and retain the base portion  180  of the heater block  145 . A portion of the thermocouple probe  160  may be provided through the opening provided through the heater block  145 . As further shown, the insulator top  135  and the mounting block  140  may connect to the insulator housing  130  and may receive and retain the top portion  185  of the heater block  145 . The mounting block  140  may connect the heatsink to the test fixture  110 . As shown in the exploded view of  FIG.  1 I , the top portion  185  of the heater block  145  may contact and heat the bottom surface of the pedestal  175  of the heatsink  120 . The tip of the thermocouple probe  160  may extend slightly above the top surface of the top portion  185  of the heater block  145  so that the thermocouple probe  160  may contact the bottom surface of the pedestal  175  of the heatsink  120  and measure a surface temperature of the heatsink  120 . 
     As further shown in  FIG.  1 I , the computing device  115  may communicate with the thermocouple probe  160  via the thermocouple cable and may communicate with an air temperature sensor the measures a temperature of the air around the heatsink. In order to measure a thermal resistance of the heatsink  120 , the heatsink  120  may be connected to the mounting block  140  of the test fixture  110  via the connectors. When the heatsink  120  is connected to the mounting block  140 , the thermocouple probe  160  of the probe assembly  155  may contact the bottom surface of the pedestal  175  of the heatsink  120 . The computing device  115  may provide power to the heaters  150  of the heater block  145  to cause the heaters  150  to provide heat to the heatsink  120  via the bottom surface of the pedestal  175  of the heatsink  120 . While the heat is provided to the heatsink  120 , the computing device  115  may receive a temperature reading from the thermocouple probe  160 , and may receive an air temperature reading from the air temperature sensor associated with the heatsink  120 . The computing device  115  may calculate the thermal resistance of the heatsink  120  based on the temperature reading, the air temperature reading, and the power provided to the heaters  150 . In some implementations, if T s  is the temperature reading from the thermocouple probe  160 , T a  is the air temperature reading, and Q is the power provided to the heaters  150 , the computing may calculate the thermal resistance (R sa ) of the heatsink  120  as follows: 
     
       
         
           
             
               R 
               sa 
             
             = 
             
               
                 
                   
                     T 
                     s 
                   
                   - 
                   
                     T 
                     a 
                   
                 
                 Q 
               
               . 
             
           
         
       
     
     In this way, the test system  105  may be provided for evaluating thermal performance of the heatsink  120 . For example, the test system  105  may include the test fixture  110  with the heater block  145  and the insulator housing  130  configured to support and thermally insulate the heater block  145 . The heaters  150  may be provided in the heater block  145 . The test fixture  110  may include the probe assembly  155  with the thermocouple probe  160  provided through a center portion of the heater block  145  and engaging the pedestal  175  surface of the heatsink  120  to be tested when the heatsink  120  is attached to the test fixture  110 . The heatsink  120  may be mounted to the insulator top  135  of the insulator housing  130 . The test fixture  110  may be easy to reset between tests without damaging the heatsink  120 , thermocouples, or any other part of the test fixture  110 . Thus, the test system  105  provides a non-destructive way to test the thermal performance of the heatsink  120  and conserves computing resources, machine resources, and/or the like associated with destroying heatsinks  120  being tested until the thermal resistance satisfies a threshold thermal resistance, machining heatsinks  120  and attaching thermocouples to measure the thermal resistances, and/or the like. 
     Furthermore, the test system  105  provides an opportunity to test several heatsink samples, during all stages of a heatsink lifecycle. This may enable detection of any heatsink issues associated with mass production of heatsinks, changes in manufacturing processes or changes in suppliers, and/or the like. Thus, the test system  105  may provide improved quality and process control of heatsinks. 
     As indicated above,  FIGS.  1 A- 1 I  are provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 I . The number and arrangement of devices shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 I  are provided as an example. In practice, there may be additional devices, fewer devices, different devices, or differently arranged devices than those shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 I . Furthermore, two or more devices shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 I  may be implemented within a single device, or a single device shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 I  may be implemented as multiple, distributed devices. Additionally, or alternatively, a set of devices (e.g., one or more devices) shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 I  may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of devices shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 I . 
       FIG.  2    is a diagram of an example thermal management system  200  of the test system  105  of  FIG.  1   . As shown in  FIG.  2   , the thermal management system  200  may include the heaters  150 , a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller  210 , an alternating current (AC) solid state relay  220 , a terminal block  230 , and a variable AC transformer  240 . Devices of the thermal management system  200  may interconnect via wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of wired and wireless connections. In some implementations, the thermal management system  200  may be controlled by the computing device  115 . 
     The PID controller  210  includes a control loop mechanism that employs feedback for continuously modulated control. The PID controller  210  may continuously calculate an error value as a difference between a desired setpoint and a measured process variable, and may apply a correction based on proportional, integral, and derivative terms. In some implementations, the PID controller  210  may be set to a maximum temperature limit to prevent thermal runaway and to maintain a constant heat flux. Alternatively, the PID controller  210  may be utilized to maintain a fixed temperature. 
     The AC solid state relay  220  includes an electronic switching device that switches on or off when an external AC voltage is applied across control terminals of the device. The AC solid state relay  220  may include a sensor that responds to an input (e.g., a control signal), a solid-state electronic switching device that switches power to load circuitry, and a coupling mechanism to enable the control signal to activate the switching device without mechanical parts. In some implementations, a power input to the heaters  150  may be switched on or off by the AC solid state relay  220  via the PID controller  210 . 
     The terminal block  230  may include terminals (e.g., for connecting to wires) arranged with several screws along two or more strips. The terminal block  230  may create a bus bar for power distribution and may also include a master input connector. 
     The variable AC transformer  240  includes a device that produces differing levels of AC output voltage from a single AC input voltage. The variable AC transformer  240  may provide users with an efficient, trouble-free way to change voltage in a short amount of time. In some implementations, an output of the heaters  150  may be set by the variable AC transformer  240  by controlling a maximum voltage provided to the heaters  150 . 
     The number and arrangement of devices shown in  FIG.  2    are provided as an example. In practice, there may be additional devices, fewer devices, different devices, or differently arranged devices than those shown in  FIG.  2   . Furthermore, two or more devices shown in  FIG.  2    may be implemented within a single device, or a single device shown in  FIG.  2    may be implemented as multiple, distributed devices. Additionally, or alternatively, a set of devices (e.g., one or more devices) of the thermal management system  200  may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of devices of the thermal management system  200 . 
       FIG.  3    is a diagram of example components that may be included in a device  300 , which may correspond to the computing device  115  and/or the thermal management system  200 . In some implementations, the computing device  115  and/or the thermal management system  200  may include one or more devices  300  and/or one or more components of the device  300 . As shown in  FIG.  3   , the device  300  may include a bus  310 , a processor  320 , a memory  330 , an input component  340 , an output component  350 , and a communication interface  360 . 
     The bus  310  includes one or more components that enable wired and/or wireless communication among the components of the device  300 . The bus  310  may couple together two or more components of  FIG.  3   , such as via operative coupling, communicative coupling, electronic coupling, and/or electric coupling. The processor  320  includes a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a field-programmable gate array, an application-specific integrated circuit, and/or another type of processing component. The processor  320  is implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. In some implementations, the processor  320  includes one or more processors capable of being programmed to perform one or more operations or processes described elsewhere herein. 
     The memory  330  includes volatile and/or nonvolatile memory. For example, the memory  330  may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive, and/or another type of memory (e.g., a flash memory, a magnetic memory, and/or an optical memory). The memory  330  may include internal memory (e.g., RAM, ROM, or a hard disk drive) and/or removable memory (e.g., removable via a universal serial bus connection). The memory  330  may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The memory  330  stores information, instructions, and/or software (e.g., one or more software applications) related to the operation of the device  300 . In some implementations, the memory  330  includes one or more memories that are coupled to one or more processors (e.g., the processor  320 ), such as via the bus  310 . 
     The input component  340  enables the device  300  to receive input, such as user input and/or sensed input. For example, the input component  340  may include a touch screen, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a button, a microphone, a switch, a sensor, a global positioning system sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and/or an actuator. The output component  350  enables the device  300  to provide output, such as via a display, a speaker, and/or a light-emitting diode. The communication interface  360  enables the device  300  to communicate with other devices via a wired connection and/or a wireless connection. For example, the communication interface  360  may include a receiver, a transmitter, a transceiver, a modem, a network interface card, and/or an antenna. 
     The device  300  may perform one or more operations or processes described herein. For example, a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., the memory  330 ) may store a set of instructions (e.g., one or more instructions or code) for execution by the processor  320 . The processor  320  may execute the set of instructions to perform one or more operations or processes described herein. In some implementations, execution of the set of instructions, by one or more processors  320 , causes the one or more processors  320  and/or the device  300  to perform one or more operations or processes described herein. In some implementations, hardwired circuitry may be used instead of or in combination with the instructions to perform one or more operations or processes described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, the processor  320  may be configured to perform one or more operations or processes described herein. Thus, implementations described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software. 
     The number and arrangement of components shown in  FIG.  3    are provided as an example. The device  300  may include additional components, fewer components, different components, or differently arranged components than those shown in  FIG.  3   . Additionally, or alternatively, a set of components (e.g., one or more components) of the device  300  may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components of the device  300 . 
       FIG.  4    is a flowchart of an example process  400  for utilizing a test system for evaluating thermal performance of a heatsink. In some implementations, one or more process blocks of  FIG.  4    may be performed via a test system (e.g., the test system  105 ). In some implementations, one or more process blocks of  FIG.  4    may be performed via another device or a group of devices separate from or including the test system. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more process blocks of  FIG.  4    may be performed via one or more components of the device  300 , such as the processor  320 , the memory  330 , the input component  340 , the output component  350 , and/or the communication interface  360 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , process  400  may include connecting a heatsink to a mounting block of a test fixture (block  410 ). For example, the heatsink  120  may be connected to the mounting block  140  of the test fixture  110 , as described above. 
     As further shown in  FIG.  4   , process  400  may include contacting a bottom surface of a pedestal of the heatsink with a thermocouple probe of a probe assembly of the test fixture (block  420 ). For example, the thermocouple probe  160  of the probe assembly  155  of the test fixture  110  may contact a bottom surface of the pedestal  175  of the heatsink  120 , as described above. 
     As further shown in  FIG.  4   , process  400  may include providing power to heaters of a heater block of the test fixture to cause the heaters to provide heat to the heatsink via the bottom surface of the pedestal of the heatsink, wherein the thermocouple probe is configured to pass through an opening of the heater block (block  430 ). For example, the computing device  115  may provide power to the heaters  150  of the heater block  145  of the test fixture  110  to cause the heaters  150  to provide heat to the heatsink  120  via the bottom surface of the pedestal  175  of the heatsink  120 , as described above. In some implementations, the thermocouple probe  160  is configured to pass through an opening of the heater block  145 . 
     As further shown in  FIG.  4   , process  400  may include receiving a temperature reading from the thermocouple probe (block  440 ). For example, the computing device  115  may receive a temperature reading from the thermocouple probe  160 , as described above. 
     As further shown in  FIG.  4   , process  400  may include receiving an air temperature reading from an air temperature sensor associated with the heatsink (block  450 ). For example, the computing device  115  may receive an air temperature reading from an air temperature sensor associated with the heatsink  120 , as described above. 
     As further shown in  FIG.  4   , process  400  may include calculating a thermal resistance of the heatsink based on the temperature reading, the air temperature reading, and the power provided to the heaters (block  460 ). For example, the computing device  115  may calculate a thermal resistance of the heatsink  120  based on the temperature reading, the air temperature reading, and the power provided to the heaters  150 , as described above. 
     Although  FIG.  4    shows example blocks of process  400 , in some implementations, process  400  may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted in  FIG.  4   . Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process  400  may be performed in parallel. 
     The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise form disclosed. Modifications may be made in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the implementations. 
     As used herein, the term “component” is intended to be broadly construed as hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. It will be apparent that systems and/or methods described herein may be implemented in different forms of hardware, firmware, and/or a combination of hardware and software. The actual specialized control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and/or methods is not limiting of the implementations. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and/or methods are described herein without reference to specific software code—it being understood that software and hardware can be used to implement the systems and/or methods based on the description herein. 
     Although particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various implementations. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of various implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set. 
     No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Further, as used herein, the article “the” is intended to include one or more items referenced in connection with the article “the” and may be used interchangeably with “the one or more.” Furthermore, as used herein, the term “set” is intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, a combination of related and unrelated items, and/or the like), and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the phrase “only one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “or” is intended to be inclusive when used in a series and may be used interchangeably with “and/or,” unless explicitly stated otherwise (e.g., if used in combination with “either” or “only one of”). 
     In the preceding specification, various example embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.