Net-based topology optimization approach for cooling channels

Herein, a net-based topology optimization approach for cooling channels is presented, which helps to make a balance between power dissipation, thermal stress and temperature limitation in forced internal cooling problems with approximate but fast and low-cost calculations. The topology optimization procedure consists of a discrete based flow and heat coupling analysis, the flow analysis by the improved pipe-net calculation, as well as the genetic algorithm (GA). The channel sizes are used as optimization variables in the GA to achieve optimization in terms of the size and topology structure of the cooling region. Numerical simulation is carried out to validate the proposed model's applicability in topology optimization for cooling channels. A comparative study illustrates that different optimization objectives lead to varying topology features and this approach can obtain a complicated and fine optimization result within a relatively short time. Moreover, the optimization results can significantly reduce the maximum temperature and temperature distribution nonuniformity of the heating surface with a lower pressure drop.