A topology optimization method for a coupled thermal–fluid problem using level set boundary expressions. (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yaji, Kentaro; Yamada, Takayuki; Kubo, Seiji; Izui, Kazuhiro; Nishiwaki, Shinji
• Is Part Of: International journal of heat and mass transfer. Volume 81(2015:Feb.)
• Page Start: 878
• Page End: 888
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Topology optimization -- Level set method -- Phase field method -- Thermal–fluid -- Heat sink; Heat -- Transmission -- Periodicals; Mass transfer -- Periodicals; Chaleur -- Transmission -- Périodiques; Transfert de masse -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 621.4022
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2014.11.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0017-9310

Abstract

Abstract: This paper presents a topology optimization method for a coupled thermal–fluid problem based on the two- and three-dimensional steady-state Navier–Stokes and energy equations. In this research, the optimization problem is formulated as a heat exchange maximization problem to obtain structures that function as high-performance cooling devices. Such devices, for example, liquid-cooled heat sinks, have recently attracted considerable attention as an engineering application for thermal cooling devices. The proposed optimization method employs level set boundary expressions and a Tikhonov-based regularization scheme enables qualitative control of the geometric complexity of the optimal configurations. Using the developed methodology, we provide two- and three-dimensional numerical examples that confirm the applicability, from an engineering standpoint, of the optimization method for the design of cooling devices.