Topology Optimization of Contact-Aided Thermo-Mechanical Regulators

Anna Dalklint*, Joe Alexandersen, Andreas Henrik Frederiksen, Konstantinos Poulios, Ole Sigmund

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

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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 languageEnglish
Article numbere7661
JournalInternational Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering
Volume126
Issue number2
Number of pages17
ISSN0029-5981
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2025

Keywords

  • coupled non-linear thermo-mechanical analysis
  • thermal components
  • thermo-mechanical regulators
  • third medium contact

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