ABSTRACT
This chapter presents recent trends, particularly knowledge-based design aids, and some additional considerations. Knowledge-based, or expert, systems, which use the expertise of people who are proficient in given areas, have been used effectively in several fields. In traditional design, such expertise is traditionally brought in by the designer, who uses his or her knowledge of the process, materials, and system to make decisions throughout the design process in order to obtain a realistic and practical design. Expert systems use computer software based on artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to bring such considerations into the design process. The basic components and the advantages of this approach over traditional design methods are indicated. Several examples of thermal systems are taken to illustrate the use of this methodology. This chapter also discusses the important topics of uncertainty, reliability-based design, professional ethics, sources of information, and additional constraints. These aspects arise in most engineering endeavors, but these are particularly significant for design because of the innovative and creative ideas that are often involved. Additional constraints that could affect the feasibility of a design are presented. These could be of crucial importance in many cases and could determine whether it is worthwhile to proceed with the implementation of a given design. Finally, the chapter integrates all the ideas presented in this book as an overview of the design of thermal systems and includes a few design projects as problems.
