Optimal Shape Design for Radiative Enclosures Using NURBS

This article presents an optimal shape design methodology for diffuse-walled radiant enclosures. In this study, the shape of the enclosure is parameterized by means of non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) surfaces, and their control points represent the design variables. The enclosure geometry is discretized by choosing the parameters of NURBS surfaces as generalized curvilinear coordinates, and the radiosity equation is solved using the infinitesimal-area analysis technique developed by Daun and Hollands [1]. The simplified conjugate-gradient method (SCGM) is used as the optimization method to obtain the optimal shape and adjust the design variables intelligently. The methodology is demonstrated by optimizing the shape profile of a cavity with the objective of enhancing the apparent emittance.Copyright © 2009 by ASME