A unified approach to closed-form solutions of moving heat-source problems

A closed-form model for the computation of temperature distribution in an infinitely extended isotropic body with a time-dependent moving-heat sources is discussed. The temperature solutions are presented for the sources of the forms: (i) ₀₁(t)=₀ exp(−λt), (ii) ₀₂(t) =₀(t/t ^*)exp(−λt), and ₀₃(t)=₀1+a cos(ωt)], where λ and ω are real parameters and t ^* characterizes the limiting time. The reduced (or dimensionless) temperature solutions are presented in terms of the generalized representation of an incomplete gamma function Γ(α,x;b) and its decomposition C _Γ and S _Γ. The solutions are presented for moving, -point, -line, and -plane heat sources. It is also demonstrated that the present analysis covers the classical temperature solutions of a constant strength source under quasi-steady state situations. Received on 13 June 1997