Implementation of a Digital Model of Thermal Characteristics Based on the Temperature Field

Abstract

Introduction. Computer modeling allows engineers to make valid design decisions by accurately assessing the thermal characteristics of design objects. The implementation of digital twin technology in the process of designing technical facilities is the current direction of scientific research and development. To do this, it is necessary to develop computer models whose accuracy meets the requirements for digital twins. However, the scientific literature does not widely present the results of research aimed at implementing digital twin technology in the design process. The general issues related to the use of digital twins in various industries are mainly considered. Therefore, the objective of this study was the development of a digital model and a comparative analysis of the accuracy of calculations of thermal characteristics of the design object.Materials and Methods. The main tool for conducting the research was the methodology proposed by the authors for developing a computer model of thermal characteristics for the implementation of digital twin technology. The numerical solution was implemented through constructing a thermal model for calculating the temperature field based on the finite element method in the ANSYS engineering analysis system from ANSYS, Inc. (USA). For the analytical solution, a computer model of thermal characteristics developed on the basis of the state-space method, implemented in the ANSYS Twin Builder module, was used. The state-space model was matched to the behavior of the original thermal model through approximating the transfer function to the stepwise response of the thermal load using the time domain vector approximation method. Verification of the constructed analytical model was carried out in the engineering calculation system MATLAB from the MathWorks company (USA). The research was carried out for a 400V machine model manufactured by NPO “Stankostroenie” LLC, Sterlitamak (Russia).Results. The developed digital model makes it possible to calculate the thermal characteristics of the design object with high accuracy. The results of the comparative analysis showed a high degree of correspondence between the values of thermal characteristics obtained using the proposed digital model and the results of numerical simulation. The maximum error in calculating thermal characteristics did not exceed 0.1ºC.Discussion and Conclusion. Computer modeling that combines numerical calculation methods and a scientific approach based on digital twin technology, provides obtaining the result as close as possible to the results of experiments. The digital model proposed in the study is an effective solution, since it provides performing calculations to evaluate thermal characteristics in real time, which is one of the most important requirements for the implementation of digital twin technology.