Topology Optimization for Design of Thermal Management System in Electrical Devices

Abstract

The goal of this research is to apply topology optimization into design of thermal management system in various types of electrical devices. For design of efficient thermal management system, topology optimization of conjugate heat transfer considering with coupled thermal-fluid phenomenon is required. Prior to topology optimization, analysis of thermal-fluid phenomenon is carried out by using commercial finite element software COMSOL Multiphysics. Also, Globally Convergent Metehod of Moving Asymptotes (GCMMA) in COMSOL Multiphysics is applied into optimization algorithm of topology optimization process. Before topology optimization of conjugate heat transfer is implemented, topology optimization of each physics is preceded. Topology optimization of fluid flow is performed by interpolating inverse permeability according to design variable. In topology optimization of fluid flow, inverse permeability is the concept introduced for continuous optimization. And, thermal conductivity is interpolated by desgin variable for topology optimization of conduction. Two-dimensional topology optimization of conjugate heat transfer is implemented by combining topology optimization of fluid flow with topology optimization of heat transfer. And parameter study on Reynolds number is conducted based on two-dimensional topology optimization result of conjugate heat transfer. Through this parameter study, change of topology optimization result and thermal performance according to fluid inlet velocity is observed. To confirm effects of increased degree of freedom, three-dimensional topology optimization of conjugate heat transfer is also performed. Lastly, topology optimization is applied into design of thermal management system in electrical devices. In this thesis, some of actual conditions are simplified for application into design of thermal management system. And the targets for application of topology optimization are heat sink in electronics and cooling channel of electric motor. As a result of topology optimization, geometries clearly different with existing design are obtained. If simplified assumptions are replaced with actual conditions through further research, topology optimization can be applied into design of various thermal management systems.