Defining Thermophysical Parameters of Electric Devices Based on Solution of Inverse Heat Transfer Problem

This paper describes application of the study methods based on the solution of inverse problems of mathematical physics to define thermophysical parameters of electric devices. The mathematical model of the device is developed based on equations of non-stationary heat conductivity. The algorithm to define thermohysical parameters is developed; this algorithm uses the finite element method to solve a direct heat transfer problem and the gradient method to minimize the objective function. Examples of the algorithm application are given. The problem to define an equivalent heat transfer coefficient of the solenoid area covered with heavy winding and a heat emission from its inside surface is considered. In the second example thermophysical parameters of electromagnetic valve actuator of an ICE (internal combustion engine) gas distribution mechanism are defined. The obtained results show that thermophysical parameters and temperature distribution in non-stationary and steady-state operating conditions of electrical devices may be evaluated with adequate efficiency based on the solution of inverse heat transfer problems.