One-dimensional heat flux estimation by sequential method using feedback control system: AFSMC approach

In this article, a novel sequential method for estimation of heat flux in inverse heat conduction problems is proposed. This technique is based on the feedback control system theory in which adaptive fuzzy sliding mode controller (AFSMC) is utilized. The objective is to estimate the input heat flux associated with a flat plate according to the time history of measured output temperature. In this closed-loop control system, at each time instant, the AFSMC calculates the proper heat flux value to track the measured temperature with the desired input temperature. Some experiments are designed to investigate the ability and accuracy of proposed method in estimating the heat flux of a one-dimensional flat plate. The effects of noise in data and sensor location on the exactness of proposed method are also assessed. Moreover, the distribution of heat flux is considered to be in three forms: constant, step and triangular. The influential parameters of suggested method are tuned once and then used in all subsequent numerical tests. This method does not rely on scanning the entire time history of measured temperatures, and successfully operates in an online manner for a wide range of heat flux distribution functions and their associated abrupt changes.