Topology optimization applied to 3D rotor flow path design based on the continuous adjoint approach

Abstract

Flow behavior inside rotors can be very complicated and with three-dimensional characteristics. This fact added to a large number of free geometrical parameters that can be varied makes the design of these components a difficult task. Optimization techniques can be applied to generate optimized designs for these machines. In this work, a different approach to design rotors by using topology optimization is proposed. An objective function measured at the boundaries and derived from energy dissipation inside the domain is used with the continuous adjoint approach considering a rotating reference frame for the governing equations. Cyclic boundary conditions are used to represent rotational repeating patterns. The Finite Volume Method is used to solve the direct and adjoint problems, and an implementation of the Globally Convergent Method of Moving Asymptotes (GCMMA) is applied. Numerical examples are presented and an optimized design is compared with a traditional one.