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Hauptverfasser: Li, Wenqing, Feng, Xu, Jiang, Peixue, Zhu, Yinhai
Format: Preprint
Veröffentlicht: 2026
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Online-Zugang:https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.13133
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author Li, Wenqing
Feng, Xu
Jiang, Peixue
Zhu, Yinhai
author_facet Li, Wenqing
Feng, Xu
Jiang, Peixue
Zhu, Yinhai
contents Thermodynamic cycles are pivotal in determining the efficacy of energy conversion systems. Traditional design methodologies, which rely on expert knowledge or exhaustive enumeration, are inefficient and lack scalability, thereby constraining the discovery of high-performance cycles. In this study, we introduce a graph-based hierarchical reinforcement learning approach for the co-design of structure parameters in thermodynamic cycles. These cycles are encoded as graphs, with components and connections depicted as nodes and edges, adhering to grammatical constraints. A deep learning-based thermophysical surrogate facilitates stable graph decoding and the simultaneous resolution of global parameters. Building on this foundation, we develop a hierarchical reinforcement learning framework wherein a high-level manager explores structural evolution and proposes candidate configurations, whereas a low-level worker optimizes parameters and provides performance rewards to steer the search towards high-performance regions. By integrating graph representation, thermophysical surrogate, and manager-worker learning, this method establishes a fully automated pipeline for encoding, decoding, and co-optimization. Using heat pump and heat engine cycles as case studies, the results demonstrate that the proposed method not only replicates classical cycle configurations but also identifies 18 and 21 novel heat pump and heat engine cycles, respectively. Relative to classical cycles, the novel configurations exhibit performance improvements of 4.6% and 133.3%, respectively, surpassing the traditional designs. This method effectively balances efficiency with broad applicability, providing a practical and scalable intelligent alternative to expert-driven thermodynamic cycle design.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2604_13133
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Automated co-design of high-performance thermodynamic cycles via graph-based hierarchical reinforcement learning
Li, Wenqing
Feng, Xu
Jiang, Peixue
Zhu, Yinhai
Machine Learning
Thermodynamic cycles are pivotal in determining the efficacy of energy conversion systems. Traditional design methodologies, which rely on expert knowledge or exhaustive enumeration, are inefficient and lack scalability, thereby constraining the discovery of high-performance cycles. In this study, we introduce a graph-based hierarchical reinforcement learning approach for the co-design of structure parameters in thermodynamic cycles. These cycles are encoded as graphs, with components and connections depicted as nodes and edges, adhering to grammatical constraints. A deep learning-based thermophysical surrogate facilitates stable graph decoding and the simultaneous resolution of global parameters. Building on this foundation, we develop a hierarchical reinforcement learning framework wherein a high-level manager explores structural evolution and proposes candidate configurations, whereas a low-level worker optimizes parameters and provides performance rewards to steer the search towards high-performance regions. By integrating graph representation, thermophysical surrogate, and manager-worker learning, this method establishes a fully automated pipeline for encoding, decoding, and co-optimization. Using heat pump and heat engine cycles as case studies, the results demonstrate that the proposed method not only replicates classical cycle configurations but also identifies 18 and 21 novel heat pump and heat engine cycles, respectively. Relative to classical cycles, the novel configurations exhibit performance improvements of 4.6% and 133.3%, respectively, surpassing the traditional designs. This method effectively balances efficiency with broad applicability, providing a practical and scalable intelligent alternative to expert-driven thermodynamic cycle design.
title Automated co-design of high-performance thermodynamic cycles via graph-based hierarchical reinforcement learning
topic Machine Learning
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.13133