Inverse problem of estimating interface conductance between periodically contacting surfaces

The conjugate gradient method of minimization with adjoint equation is used to solve the inverse problem of estimating the timewise variation of interface conductance between periodically contacting solids, under quasi-steady-state conditions. It is assumed that no prior information is available on the functional form of the interface conductance, except the magnitude of the period. The accuracy of the inverse analysis is examined by using simulated inexact temperature measurements obtained at the interior of the region. Small periods are usually the most difficult on which to perform an inverse analysis. For such cases, the present method is found to be more accurate and stable than the B-Spline approach. (Author)