Research on topology optimization of liquid-cooled plates based on multi-level optimization

This paper employs topology optimization techniques to enhance the performance of liquid-cooled plates while investigating the optimization process and its outcomes. A multilevel optimization strategy is implemented to refine the accuracy and smoothness of the optimization process. The study demonstrates that expanding the range of penalty factors and refining the granularity of penalty factors can effectively enhance the capability of multilevel optimization in suppressing the formation of intermediate densities. Furthermore, a multi-objective function is utilized to strike a balance between the heat transfer efficiency and the hydraulic performance of the liquid-cooled plate. Ultimately, after considering aspects related to heat transfer and hydraulic performance, the research finds that compared to traditional straight-channel liquid-cooled plates, liquid-cooled plates featuring streamlined multi-branched flow channels not only increase the heat transfer area but also reduce pressure drop. As a result, this design improves the temperature uniformity of the liquid-cooled plate and enhances the velocity uniformity of the cooling fluid. At different inlet velocities, the topology-optimized liquid-cooled plate exhibits a reduction in both effective thermal resistance and pumping power compared to the traditional straight-channel liquid-cooled plate.