Optimal design of multi-layer thermal protection of variable thickness

Abstract

Purpose

The presented paper aims to consider algorithm for optimal design of multilayer thermal insulation.

Design/methodology/approach

Developed algorithm is based on a sequential quadratic programming method.

Findings

2D mathematical model of heat transfer in thermal protection was considered in frame of thermal design of spacecraft. The sensitivity functions were used to estimate the Jacobean of the object functions.

Research limitations/implications

Design of distributed parameter systems and shape optimization may be thought of as geometrical inverse problems, in which the positions of free boundaries are determined along with the spatial variables. In such problems, the missing data (i.e. the position of boundaries) are compensated for by the presence of the so-called inverse problem additional conditions. In the case under consideration, such conditions are constrains on the temperature values at the discrete points of the system.

Practical implications

Results are presented how to apply the algorithm suggested for solving a practical problem – thickness sampling for a thermal protection system of advanced solar probe.

Originality/value

The procedure proposed in the paper to solve a design problem is based on the method of quadratic approximation of the initial problem statement as a Lagrange formulation. This has allowed to construct a rather universal algorithm applicable without modification for solving a wide range of thermal design problems.

Citation

Nenarokomov, A.V., Salosina, M.O. and Alifanov, O.M. (2017), "Optimal design of multi-layer thermal protection of variable thickness", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 27 No. 5, pp. 1040-1055. https://doi.org/10.1108/HFF-03-2016-0112