Discrete‐valued design optimisation of a multiple‐coil inductor for uniform surface heating

Abstract

Purpose

Seeks to determine the optimal shape design of an induction heating device.

Design/methodology/approach

Presents, through a case study, the optimal shape design of a multiple coil inductor for surface heating. Resorts to a procedure of automated optimal design, based on evolutionary optimisation and processing both continuous‐valued and discrete‐valued variables.

Findings

Demonstrates that it is possible to solve the design problem routinely using an optimisation tool (OptiNet) that is built to work seamlessly with a coupled electromagnetic‐thermal simulation.

Originality/value

Every design criterion that is likely to be of interest to a designer of industrial applications can be described to the system and optimised in a reasonable time frame.

Citation

Di Barba, P., Forghani, B. and Lowther, D.A. (2005), "Discrete‐valued design optimisation of a multiple‐coil inductor for uniform surface heating", COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, Vol. 24 No. 1, pp. 271-280. https://doi.org/10.1108/03321640510571291