Vector potential 3D-finite element modeling of magnetic fields in permanent magnet devices

A three-dimensional finite element (FE) MVP (magnetic vector potential) formulation for electromagnetic devices containing permanent magnets is presented. The method is based on developing models for the first and second order tetrahedral type elements. An example magnetic circuit of an electrical device containing a samarium-cobalt permanent magnet is used to verify the two models. It appears that results from second order FE grids are closer to the analytical value than those from first order FE grids, with the smoothness of the bending of the B ¯ vector arrows strongly reflected in the results of the second order FE grid example