Customized Simscape convective heat transfer component not working

Hello, I am trying to create a custom simscape Convective Heat Transfer component that will allow me to use a variable convective heat transfer coefficient,

I have attempted to do so using the following code, but it isn't functioning as intended (heat flow is 0 regardless of temperature difference across it).

Is there something I am missing?

Thanks

component variableConvection
    % This component will use a variable heat transfer coefficient when
    % calculating the convective heat transfer

    inputs
        heat_tr_coeff = {0, 'W/(m^2*K)'}; % S:bottom
    end

    nodes
        A = foundation.thermal.thermal; % A:bottom
        B = foundation.thermal.thermal; % B:top
    end

    variables
        T = {0, 'K'}; % Temperature difference
        Q = {0, 'W'}; % Heat flow rate
    end

    parameters
        area          = {1e-4, 'm^2'      }; % Area
    end

    equations
        T == A.T - B.T;
        Q == area * heat_tr_coeff * T;
    end
end

Answer 1

[Yifeng Tang]

Hi Roland,

I believe you are missing one equation to define how Q is related to the heat flow through the ports.

Try adding the following code to your block

branches
    Q : A.Q -> B.Q;
end

Get more info about the branches syntax here: https://www.mathworks.com/help/releases/R2022a/physmod/simscape/lang/branches.html