Abstract
Topology optimization is used to systematically design contact-aided thermo-mechanical regulators, i.e., components whose effective thermal conductivity is tunable by mechanical deformation and contact. The thermo-mechanical interactions are modeled using a fully coupled non-linear thermo-mechanical finite element framework. To obtain the intricate heat transfer response, the components leverage self-contact, which is modeled using a third medium contact method. The effective heat transfer properties of the regulators are tuned by solving a topology optimization problem using a traditional gradient-based algorithm. Several designs of thermo-mechanical regulators in the form of switches, diodes, and triodes are presented.
Original language | English |
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Article number | e7661 |
Journal | International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering |
Volume | 126 |
Issue number | 2 |
Number of pages | 17 |
ISSN | 0029-5981 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2025 |
Keywords
- coupled non-linear thermo-mechanical analysis
- thermal components
- thermo-mechanical regulators
- third medium contact