Topology Optimization of Suction Muffler for Noise Attenuation
Abstract
A topology optimization method is developed to optimally design suction mufflers in reciprocating compressors. Suction mufflers should be designed for high noise reduction. The suction mufflers are not easy to systematically design because their outer shape is so complicated and the center axes of the inlet/outlet do not coincide. Muffler researchers in industry have designed the internal configuration of suction mufflers intuitively and experientially. However, since our proposed muffler design method is not restricted to location of the inlet and outlet and to the outer shape of suction muffler, it could be applied to suction muffler design problems. A topology optimization problem is formulated for a finite element model simulating a suction muffler for a reciprocating compressor. Transmission loss value at a target frequency is selected as an objective function and partition volume is constrained. Design variables change continuously from zero to one during optimization process. The material filling one element is an intermediate material between fluid and solid in each iterative calculation and become fluid or rigid body at a final converged stage depending on the value of design variables. Rigid body elements build up partitions or flow path to increase transmission loss. The proposed muffler design method is applied to a suction muffler, which has been introduced at an international conference.