Design optimization of primary core in induction heating roll by the combination of 2D level-set method and 3D coupled magnetic-Thermal FEM

We present a novel practical design optimization for the primary core in an induction heating roll, which significantly affects the heating performance. To optimize the 3D eddy current field problem within an acceptable CPU time, we effectively combine 2D magnetostatic optimization and 3D coupled magnetic-thermal FEM. For the 2D optimization, we adopt the level-set method, which has an advantage of being able to derive a feasible shape. However, the disadvantage is that its result occasionally falls into a local optimal solution. To overcome this disadvantage, we propose conducting the initial conceptual design with the linear level-set method before using the nonlinear level-set method to expand the search domain. Furthermore, we incorporate the parallelized move-limit strategy into the level-set method to prevent the configuration from undergoing excess deformation by the operation for the area constraint. Finally, the 2D optimal shape obtained using our new level-set method is converted into a straight line cross-sectional configuration to improve manufacturability, and the final 3D design is created with slits. The final 3D design obtained as a result of the 3D FEM successfully improves both the heating speed and temperature uniformity on the surface of the heating part under the same conditions of input AC current and material volume.