Introduction to Topology Optimization for the Design of High Voltage Insulators

High Voltage insulators play a vital role in power transmission systems and are subjected to combined electrical, mechanical, and thermal stress. Common design strategies for HV insulators involve semi-analytical methods and Finite Element Analyses (FEA) to arrive at designs that meet the required design and manufacturing criteria. Topology Optimization (TO) is a design strategy widely adopted to minimize the weight and volume of the design while retaining its performance. In this work, we propose a modification to the traditional TO process to maximize the combined electrical and structural performance of HV insulators. This modification incorporates electric field considerations into the T.O. process.