UNCONSTRAINED OPTIMIZATION OF COUPLED MAGNETOTHERMAL PROBLEMS

The shape optimization of coupled systems by a gradients-based method is presented. The design specifications are in one system, while the c ritical parameters are in both systems. The method is demonstrated usi ng an induction heating system. The magnetic and thermal models coexis t in the same geometry. The eddy currents calculated from the electrom agnetic solution is used as the thermal sources for the thermal finite element analysis. The objective is to achieve a required steady state temperature profile by modifying the geometry of the magneto-thermal domain. The objective function, defined as a function of the state var iable temperature is no longer linked directly to the design parameter s of the magneto-thermal system through the classic design sensitivity analysis but through the ''coupled'' one. The proposed algorithm allo ws the calculation of the gradient of the object function with respect to the design parameters.