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Maximizing efficiency, power density, and reliability stands as paramount objectives in the advancement of power electronic systems. Notably, the dimensions and losses of magnetic components emerge as primary constraints hindering the miniaturization of such systems. Researchers have increasingly focused on the design of loss minimization and size optimization of magnetic devices. In this paper, with the objective of minimizing the loss of magnetic devices, an optimal design method for the winding structure of devices is proposed based on the coupling relationship between the loss prediction model and the design variables. The method examines the decoupling conditions between the design variables and the loss model, deriving optimized design closure equations for the design variables. This approach furnishes a technical foundation for the miniaturized design of miniature apparatuses incorporating magnetic components, offering a straightforward and adaptable design methodology. The finite element method simulation results and experimental measurement data verify the accuracy of the prediction of the proposed method and the validity of the optimal design theory of device loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To promote the application of non‐stacked particle damper (NSPD) in civil engineering, a design methodology was suggested on the basis of the double inert mass equivalent model. NSPD single‐story steel frame model is selected as the research object in this paper. First, the analytical solution for the periodic motion with symmetric two impacts was discussed. The shaking table test was performed to verify the rationality of the analytical solution under harmonic excitation. Subsequently, based on the analytical solution, the influence of equivalent connection stiffness on the vibration reduction effect and mechanism was analysed under resonant and non‐resonant harmonic excitation. The numerical analysis methods of the optimal equivalent connection stiffness were obtained accordingly. Finally, the effectiveness and generalization of the proposed optimal equivalent connection stiffness were discussed numerically under harmonic excitation and seismic ground motion. An optimal design process for the NSPD was proposed accordingly. Based on this, the vibration reduction performance analysis of NSPD under far‐field records, near‐fault pulse‐like records and near‐fault non‐pulse records was further conducted in the end. The results show that the time‐dependent frequency behaviour of the uncontrolled structure has a significant impact on the performance of the NSPD. The proposed optimization method is effective, which can be used as the foundation for the optimization of NSPD under earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The airworthiness standards of the transport category airplanes stipulate that the high energy rotor equipment must be of the sufficient containment capacity. It is of great importance to study the containment and weight reduction for the air turbine starter. In this paper, based on an OSF design, Kriging response surface model and MOGA algorithm, a neck structure optimal design method was proposed for the air turbine wheel. Using the optimal design method, the optimal structural parameters were suggested as the design parameters, and verified by the over-speed burst test. The maximum errors of the burst speeds between the experimental and design values are less than 2%, and the neck structure turbine wheel breaks in the neck as expected, validating the accuracy of the optimal design method. Then, the effects of turbine wheel burst modes on the containment were investigated quantitatively, and verified by the containment tests. Based on the experimental and simulation results, the containment design method was proposed for the neck structure turbine wheel. The results show that compared with the trisection wheel burst, the rim burst dramatically decrease the mass and initial kinetic energy of burst released fragments by 63.3% and 24.8%, thereby greatly reducing the thickness and the mass of the containment ring by 29.5% and 29.1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maximizing efficiency, power density, and reliability stands as paramount objectives in the advancement of power electronic systems. Notably, the dimensions and losses of magnetic components emerge as primary constraints hindering the miniaturization of such systems. Researchers have increasingly focused on the design of loss minimization and size optimization of magnetic devices. In this paper, with the objective of minimizing the loss of magnetic devices, an optimal design method for the winding structure of devices is proposed based on the coupling relationship between the loss prediction model and the design variables. The method examines the decoupling conditions between the design variables and the loss model, deriving optimized design closure equations for the design variables. This approach furnishes a technical foundation for the miniaturized design of miniature apparatuses incorporating magnetic components, offering a straightforward and adaptable design methodology. The finite element method simulation results and experimental measurement data verify the accuracy of the prediction of the proposed method and the validity of the optimal design theory of device loss.

Cycloid gear tooth profile modification is very important to the performance of RV reducer，in order to select the shape modification method and parameter size reasonably and improve the stress state of the cycloid tooth surface，an equidistant & radical-moving modification method based on particle swarm optimization algorithm to optimize bearing capacity is proposed. Based on the RV-60E reducer as an optimization example，the mechanical analysis of the cycloid needle wheel transmission part is carried out first，and the mathematical model of the cycloid wheel shape is established with the goal of reducing the maximum bearing capacity of the needle teeth. The required shape modification parameter values and tooth profile curve are obtained by using the proposed optimization design method. Compared with equidistant trimming，radical-moving and angle fitting modification methods，it is found that the maximum contact force of cycloidal gear profile modification method based on particle swarm optimization algorithm is reduced by 15.9%，16.0% and 11.8%，respectively，thus improving the bearing capacity and life of RV reducer.

The airworthiness standards of the transport category airplanes stipulate that the high energy rotor equipment must be of the sufficient containment capacity. It is of great importance to study the containment and weight reduction for the air turbine starter. In this paper, based on an OSF design, Kriging response surface model and MOGA algorithm, a neck structure optimal design method was proposed for the air turbine wheel. Using the optimal design method, the optimal structural parameters were suggested as the design parameters, and verified by the over-speed burst test. The maximum errors of the burst speeds between the experimental and design values are less than 2%, and the neck structure turbine wheel breaks in the neck as expected, validating the accuracy of the optimal design method. Then, the effects of turbine wheel burst modes on the containment were investigated quantitatively, and verified by the containment tests. Based on the experimental and simulation results, the containment design method was proposed for the neck structure turbine wheel. The results show that compared with the trisection wheel burst, the rim burst dramatically decrease the mass and initial kinetic energy of burst released fragments by 63.3% and 24.8%, thereby greatly reducing the thickness and the mass of the containment ring by 29.5% and 29.1%.

Resulting from the restricted size of incisions and confined surgical space, the existing rigid and slender minimally invasive surgery (MIS) instruments are inefficient in providing an optimum articulation to handle certain minimally invasive surgery tasks. Thus, developments of novel articulating actuators are of urgent requirement. In this paper, with the aim to enhance the flexibility and maneuverability of surgical instruments in diverse minimally invasive surgery scenarios, two types of spring-roll dielectric elastomer (DE) actuators, namely linear-type and bending-type, are proposed. The actuators’ parameters were optimized and calibrated using a novel step-by-step procedure, based on the characterization and modeling of dielectric elastomer material (VHB 4905). Critical design factors including dimensions of the core spring, the pre-stretch ratio of the dielectric elastomer, and the excitation level of the actuator were identified, while the boundary conditions for the modeling of the actuator were derived from the requirements of minimally invasive surgery applications. The dielectric elastomer actuators’ deformation behavior and force response were analyzed both theoretically and experimentally, and the results from the two approaches were in good agreement. The linear-type actuator could achieve a maximum strain of 29% and a blocking force up to 5.05 N, while the bending-type actuator could achieve angulation over 70° and a blocking force of up to 0.22 N. The proposed actuators are lightweight, compact, and cost-effective, which could provide novel design inspiration for minimally invasive surgery instruments.

Strict and simultaneous space temperature and humidity controls are often required in many applications, such as hospitals, laboratories, cleanrooms for pharmaceutical and semiconductor manufacturing. The energy intensity in such applications can be up to 100 times than typical office buildings, mainly due to the improper system design and control. Although some uncertainty-based design methods have been developed for air-conditioning systems, most of the existing systems are designed based on a certain ventilation mode while neglecting the life-cycle performance of the components. This study, therefore, proposes a robust optimal design method for cleanroom air-conditioning systems, considering the uncertainties in design parameters for inputs and operation strategies as well as the life-cycle performance of components. An adaptive full-range decoupled ventilation strategy, which incorporated five operation modes, was adopted in the design optimization. Two maintenance modes were adopted and compared to consider the flexibility of maintenance. The proposed design method has been implemented and validated in the design optimization of an existing air-conditioning system. The results showed that, compared with the conventional design, up to 54% reduction of life-cycle costs and superior satisfaction of services could be achieved by using the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochromic (EC) windows can prevent glare by adjusting their tinting state, but the tinted EC glass will affect the use of daylight in the room, resulting in the increase of lighting energy consumption. Splitting the EC window into several panes and tinting only a portion of them can effectively mitigate the conflict between glare prevention and the usage of daylight. However, there is a lack of design methods for EC window split pane configurations to realize further lighting energy-saving potential. To address this problem, this study proposed an optimal design method for EC window split pane configuration. This method is based on the glare calculation model and aims to obtain the minimum tinted area hours (TAH) of the EC window. Taking a south-facing EC window office building in Beijing as a case study, the effectiveness of the proposed design method was investigated by simulation. Results show the proposed design method identified the most energy-efficient and comfortable split panes scheme. By combining with the split-pane glare control method, 95.3% of intolerable glare was prevented, and a useful daylight illumination index of 73.3% was achieved. It also significantly improved building energy efficiency, saving 29.8% of lighting energy consumption compared to whole window design scheme. This study provides a promising design methodology for the high-performance application of EC windows in buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this paper, a novel optimal design method for the concentration spectrum splitting photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid system is proposed. The newly provided optimal design method tries to optimize the solar energy distribution of the concentration spectrum splitting photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid system while maintaining the optimal operating states of the subsystems, which has never been mentioned before. For the optimal design, the optimum operating temperature of the hybrid system is firstly determined. Then, a series of cutoff wavelengths of the spectral splitter is given, and the efficiencies of the coupling systems with all different cutoff wavelengths are calculated. The highest efficiency and the optimal cutoff wavelength will be obtained by comparing the performances of the concentration spectrum splitting photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid systems with different cutoff wavelengths. The optimal thermoelectric thermal resistance and structure factor related to the optimum operating temperature of the thermoelectric subsystems are finally acquired. The effects of the thermoelectric figure of merit and the convective heat transfer coefficient of the cooling system on the optimal design are also discussed. The results show that the optimal temperature distribution of the thermoelectric subsystem can be obtained by regulating the thermoelectric structure factor. Although the solar energy transferred to the thermoelectric subsystem decreases, as the cutoff wavelength increases, the thermoelectric efficiency can be increased through optimization. The optimal cutoff wavelength of the spectral splitter decreases with the increase of the thermoelectric figure of merit, and a thermoelectric module with smaller thermal resistance should be used to maintain its optimum operating temperature. Highlights • A novel optimal design method for CSSPV-TE hybrid system is proposed. • The optimal temperature distribution and structure of TE subsystem is revealed. • The optimal cutoff wavelength decreases with the increase of thermoelectric ZT value. • The TE subsystem with the larger ZT value should have smaller thermal resistance. • The cooling system has little effect on solar energy distribution for current TE materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing the dissipated thermal energy by photovoltaic cells working as the heat source of thermoelectric module to generate extra electricity is an optional way to further improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency of concentrating photovoltaic system. However, there exists a confrontation between the efficiency temperature characteristics of the photovoltaic cell and the thermoelectric module. The photovoltaic efficiency decreases with the rise of its temperature while the thermoelectric efficiency increases with its temperature difference augmenting, which makes the design of the concentrating photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid system crucial. In this paper, the selection principle of the coupling devices and a novel optimal design method for the concentrating photovoltaic-thermoelectric coupling system are proposed. The minimum figure of merit of the thermoelectric generator that enables the efficiency of the concentrating photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid system to be larger than that of the concentrating photovoltaic system is calculated and regarded as the reference of evaluating the feasibility and selecting the coupling devices. For the optimal designs, the temperature distribution where the concentrating photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid system has the highest electric efficiency is firstly calculated. Then, the optimum thermal resistance of the thermoelectric generator, which keeps the photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid system operating at the optimal temperature distribution, is calculated. Once the thermoelectric thermal resistance is obtained, the optimal structure of the thermoelectric generator can be determined. The effects of reference efficiency, the efficiency temperature coefficient of the photovoltaic cell, the figure of merit of the thermoelectric module and the convective heat transfer coefficient of the cooling system on optimal designs of the concentrating photovoltaic-thermoelectric hybrid system are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the advantages of zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) and zero-current-switching (ZCS), LCLC resonant converters are universally applied in two-stage electronic power conditioners (EPCs) of space travelling-wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs). In two-stage EPCs, as the output voltage is regulated by the first stage, the main functions of LCLC resonant converters are to boost the input voltage, provide galvanic isolation, and maintain high efficiency. However, the total power loss of an LCLC resonant converter is very challenging because of the multiple resonant components and their mutual couplings. In order to solve this problem, in this paper, a PSO (Particle Swarm Optimization)-algorithm-based, efficiency-oriented optimal design method of an LCLC resonant converter is proposed. Based on an analysis of working principles, the total power loss (with consideration of all the power losses, including the driving loss and the conduction loss of the main switches), transformer loss, and power loss of the rectifiers is calculated. After that, the total power loss is appointed as the objective function of the PSO algorithm, where the optimal circuit parameters are derived to minimize the total power loss. After the optimal circuit parameters are obtained, an LCLC resonant converter with the desired parameters is built. Finally, the proposed PSO-algorithm-based, efficiency-oriented optimal design method is validated by an example.

The impact of thyristor-controlled series capacitor (TCSC) on subsynchronous resonance (SSR) varies with the firing angle, which may significantly reduce the robustness of subsynchronous damping controller (SSDC). To solve this problem, a multichannel damping control scheme for TCSC is proposed in this study for mitigating SSR considering multiple operating conditions. Firstly, an SSR identification method based on PASTd algorithm and subspace estimation, which performs well in term of anti-noise and accuracy, is adopted to extract the necessary information for design of the proposed SSR damping control scheme. By using this identification method, the characteristics of the SSR are investigated when TCSC operates under different conditions. The analysis results show that the phase lags change significantly with the varying of firing angle of TCSC, and in this case, the compensation scheme for the phase lags becomes the main difficulty for SSR damping control. Then, a novel optimal design method is proposed to realize the optimum compensation using multichannel SSDC under different operating conditions. Moreover, as the attenuation coefficients of torsional modes are considered in the optimal design method, the compensation effectiveness on weak damping modes is enhanced. Finally, the PSCAD/EMTDC based simulation results illustrate the validity and adaptability of the proposed SSR multichannel damping control scheme. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wind-induced vibrations of super tall buildings become excessive due to strong wind loads, super building height and high flexibility. Tuned mass dampers (TMDs) and tuned liquid column dampers (TLCDs) have been widely used to control vibrations for actual super tall buildings for decades. To fully use both the economic advantage of the TLCD system and the high efficiency of the TMD system, an innovative supplemental damping system including both TLCD and TMD and called combined tuned damper (CTD), which can substantially decrease the cost of the damper, was proposed to control the wind-induced vibrations of tall buildings. The governing equations are generated for the motion of both the primary structure and the CTD and solved to anticipate the dynamic response of the CTD-structure system. Moreover, an optimal design method of human comfort performance is proposed, in which the life cycle cost of the damper-structure system is considered as the quantitative index of the performance. The life cycle cost includes the initial cost, the maintenance cost and the failure cost. The failure cost can be calculated using the vibration-sensation rate model, which is based on the Japanese code AIJES-V001-2004. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beam-based alignment and feedback systems are essential for the operation of the Free Electron Lasers (FELs) and Linear colliders. They require a certain number of beam position monitors (BPMs) at selected locations and that their resolution can reach hundreds of nanometers or even the order of nanometers. Cavity BPMs adopting a resonant cavity structure having the advantage of high position resolution are widely used in the field of accelerators. A typical system includes a cavity BPM pickup, a radio frequency signal conditioning front-end and a digital signal processing electronic. How to systematically analyze the impact of the key parameters of each subsystem on the performance of the whole system, and combine the requirements of the system, operation mode of the facilities, the current level of equipment processing and the development of the electronics, so as to achieve the optimal and balanced allocation of the key technical indicators of each subsystem, is the primary issue to be considered when designing a CBPM system. In this paper, based on theoretical analysis, the relationship between the relative amplitude extraction uncertainty of the CBPM system and the key parameters of each subsystem is proposed, which could provide clear guidance for the design and optimization of a CBPM system. In addition, considering the engineering requirements of the Shanghai High repetition rate X-ray Free Electron Laser and Extreme Light facility (SHINE) for beam position monitor, the allocation of the key technical indicators of the CBPM system using the optimized design method is also introduced. Accordingly, the development of each subsystem was completed, and the beam test bench was also built at the Shanghai Soft X-ray FEL facility (SXFEL), based on the evaluation method of divided power, the beam experiment results show that the position measurement uncertainty of the CBPM system can reach 40 nm at the bunch charge of 100 pC, which is consistent with the theoretical analysis results and better than the requirements of the SHINE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the new type lightweight structure by using truss core panel is proposed. By using general dynamic analysis software LS-DYNA and response surface optimization method to determine the optimal structure of proposed lightweight structure, the problem of bending during the crash is solved. And as the result, the optimal truss core lightweight structure is capable of absorbing crash energy more than that of the optimal honeycomb panel structure at the same mass. Furthermore, a theoretical analysis of the optimal truss core type lightweight structure is discussed. As a result, it is shown that lightweight structure by using truss core panel and optimization system for crash energy absorption are useful for lightweight structure design in wide industrial fields.

In this study, we analyze the influence of passive joint viscous friction (PJVF) on modal space decoupling for a class of symmetric spatial parallel mechanisms (SSPM). The Jacobian matrix relating the platform movements to each passive joint velocity is first gained by vector analysis and the passive joint damping matrix is then derived by applying the Kane method. Next, an analytic formula index measuring the degree of coupling effects between the damping terms in the modal coordinates is proposed using classical modal analysis of dynamic equations in task space. Based on the index, a new optimal design method is found which establishes the kinematics parameters for minimizing the coupling degree of damping and achieves optimal fault tolerance for modal space decoupling when all struts have identical damping and stiffness coefficients in their axial directions. To illustrate the effectiveness of the theory, the new method was used to redesign two configurations of a specific manipulator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the analysis and optimal design of a current-source four-element CLCC resonant converter used in dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) field. Mathematically, by analyzing different operating modes, the expressions that accurately describe the behavior of the converter under any load conditions are derived. In addition, the characteristic parameters are expressed as functions of inherent circuit parameters and the control variables to make the analytical results readily employed. Also, an optimal design method is developed to facilitate a decrease of the primary winding current of the transformer and a reduction of the switching frequency variation of the inverter. An 8-kW DBD power supply for the surface treatment (one of the applications of DBD) is designed using the proposed method. The simulation and experimental results are given to verify the proposed analysis and design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Distributed energy systems based on cogeneration offer significant potential to save energy since they effectively utilize waste heat from power generators. However, unless there is an appropriate combination of machinery and operations, the planned performance cannot be achieved. Thus, it is quite difficult to determine the optimal combination of machinery and operations. For this, an optimal design approach is needed. In this study, a new optimal design method for building energy systems is proposed. There are an enormous variety of combinations with regard to energy supply and demand. This method designs the most efficient energy system by optimizing the operation of available systems with consideration for the optimal capacity of machinery in the systems. Optimization algorithms known as “genetic algorithms” (GAs) with the capacity to deal with non-linear optimization problems have been adopted in this optimization analysis. In this study, a single-building energy system is evaluated. The result shows that the proposed method is sufficiently capable of optimizing the design, and has the potential to be applied to very complex energy systems with appropriate improvements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

With the size and complexity of simulation applications growing rapidly, it has become an important problem to design applicable and affordable verification, validation and accreditation (VV&A) schemes for complex simulation systems. To address this problem, this paper proposes an optimal design method for VV&A schemes, which focuses VV&A on most critical aspects rather than selects most appropriate VV&A methods. Fuzzy failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) is employed to assess the risk of a complex simulation system. In terms of the risk of each failure, its VV&A activities and cost are estimated, and then fuzzy linear regression analysis is used to construct the mathematical model for the relation between the risk and cost for each failure. Based on this model, fuzzy linear programming is adopted to construct the optimal model of the VV&A scheme for the simulation system. According to the optimal solution from the optimal model, the optimal VV&A scheme is found. This optimal method not only provides an effective means to estimate the overall cost that should be invested in VV&A, but also gives an approach to reasonable assign the cost to VV&A activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents a method for the optimal design of high voltage transmission lines taking into consideration shielding and backflashover failure rates. The minimization of suitably defined performance indices, which relate the failures caused by lightning in a transmission line to both line insulation level and tower footing resistance, is aimed. Optimum values for both line insulation level and tower footing resistance are calculated. The method is applied on several operating Hellenic transmission lines of 150 and 400kV, respectively, carefully selected among others, due to their high failure rates during lightning thunderstorms. Special attention has been paid on open loop lines, where a possible failure could bring the system out of service causing significant problems. The obtained design parameters, which reduce the failure rates caused by lightning, are compared with the existing design parameters of the transmission lines leading up to useful conclusions. The proposed optimization method can be proved a valuable tool to the studies of electric power systems designers, intending to reduce the failure rates caused by lightning. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We present an analysis and design method for multiwavelength pumped fiber Raman amplifiers for massive wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) systems with signal bandwidths of 10 to 12 THz and a very large number of channels. We solve self-consistently the optimal design problem for backward-pumped distributed Raman amplifiers with special gain profiles that compensate for the Raman tilt and wavelength-dependent fiber loss. We study the noise performance of these optimally designed amplifiers and address the issues of multispan amplification for long-haul transmission of such broadband signals [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

• Multi-mode optimal design of STHE is realized. • Genetic algorithm is improved by modifying the mutation process. • Maximum power weight ratio is obtained to suit the aero engine application. This work presents an optimal design method for a compact air-air serpentine tube heat exchanger (STHE), which is applied as the core component of the bearing sealing cooling system in the aero engine. A new optimization tool, coupling with the Logarithmic Mean Temperature Difference (LMTD) method and an advanced genetic algorithm (AGA) using Gray code, is proposed to optimize the STHE with unknown outlet parameters under variable working conditions. Under the given performance and structural constraints, six optimization design variables, including tube outer diameter, the transverse tube pitch, the longitudinal tube pitch, the transverse tube rows, the height and the number of elbows, are selected to obtain the maximum heat transfer capability KA per total weight. The optimization results show that, by using AGA, the target parameter distribution is narrowed from 88.31~93.86 kW/(K•kg) to 91.90~93.92 kW/(K•kg), and the proportion of the optimal solutions higher than 93 kW/(K•kg) increases from 22.62% to 94.32%. The optimization also improves the heat transfer capability KA per total weight to 93.92 kW/(K•kg), comparing with the original value of 70.08 kW/(K•kg). As the key limiting factors, the hot side maximum outlet temperature and pressure drop in the optimized STHE do not appear at the same operation mode and both of them are quite close to the given limits. It well demonstrates the validity and applicability of the proposed optimization design method using under multiple restrictions and conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this letter, it is revealed that there exits an approximate linear relation between the changes in input pump powers and the resulting changes in the pump-power integrals in multiwavelength pumped fiber Raman amplifiers (MW-FRAs). Based on this fact, a novel efficient optimal design method for gain-flattened MW-FRAs is proposed. First, the optimal integral pump spectrum is found by genetic algorithm. Then, the matrix denoting the linear many-to-many relation is calculated. By this matrix, the optimal input pump powers resulting in the optimal pump-power integrals can be easily calculated. The optimal pump spectrum is obtained without time consuming trial-error adjustments or many times numerical simulations. Compared to other existing optimal design methods, our method has a substantial improvement in the efficiency without any expense of accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Due to the advantages of zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) and zero-current-switching (ZCS), LCLC resonant converters are universally applied in two-stage electronic power conditioners (EPCs) of space travelling-wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs). In two-stage EPCs, as the output voltage is regulated by the first stage, the main functions of LCLC resonant converters are to boost the input voltage, provide galvanic isolation, and maintain high efficiency. However, the total power loss of an LCLC resonant converter is very challenging because of the multiple resonant components and their mutual couplings. In order to solve this problem, in this paper, a PSO (Particle Swarm Optimization)-algorithm-based, efficiency-oriented optimal design method of an LCLC resonant converter is proposed. Based on an analysis of working principles, the total power loss (with consideration of all the power losses, including the driving loss and the conduction loss of the main switches), transformer loss, and power loss of the rectifiers is calculated. After that, the total power loss is appointed as the objective function of the PSO algorithm, where the optimal circuit parameters are derived to minimize the total power loss. After the optimal circuit parameters are obtained, an LCLC resonant converter with the desired parameters is built. Finally, the proposed PSO-algorithm-based, efficiency-oriented optimal design method is validated by an example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]