Sizing optimization of lightweight multilayer thermal protection structures for hypersonic aircraft

Qi Wang, Gongnan Xie, Manyu Xiao, Weihong Zhang, Bengt Sundén

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the context of hypersonic aircraft design, the major issue of the thermal protection system (TPS) is to obtain the optimal thickness of the insulation layers due to intense aerodynamic heating during re-entering earth's atmosphere. In this study, an idea combining a transient heat transfer model and an efficient optimization model is introduced for multi-layer insulation of TPS. The TPS geometric dimensions in the thickness direction are particularly considered as the design variables and the objective function is the mass of the thermal protection structure with the limitation of the extreme temperatures of the hypersonic vehicle structure. In order to decrease the computational complexity, the Globally Convergent Method of Moving Asymptotes (GCMMA) method is specially used to search the optimal solution. The results show that the usage of multilayer insulation materials for the TPS can save more than 25% weight compared to a single-layer TPS. The detailed analysis and comparison indicate the advantages of the presented optimization model.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in Aerospace Technology
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Pages73-80
Number of pages8
ISBN (Print)9780791845172
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
EventASME 2012 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2012 - Houston, TX, United States
Duration: 9 Nov 201215 Nov 2012

Publication series

NameASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (IMECE)
Volume1

Conference

ConferenceASME 2012 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2012
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityHouston, TX
Period9/11/1215/11/12

Keywords

  • Hypersonic aircraft
  • Sizing optimization
  • Thermal analyses]
  • Thermal protection system

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