Force Calculation in 3-D Magnetic Equivalent Circuit Networks With a Maxwell Stress Tensor

Magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) models are increasingly valuable for analysis and design of electromechanical devices, particularly electrical machines, because of their moderate computational effort and reasonable accuracy. Force and torque calculations in prior MEC implementations are almost exclusively based on the virtual work method (VWM) adapted to the specific device model. But VWM does not easily extend to a general MEC modeling approach. In this paper, the more direct Maxwell stress tensor (MST) method is applied to a general 3-D MEC modeling framework. MST theory and implementation are presented. Its application is discussed with the example of an electromagnet. Results are compared to both measurements and analytical and finite-element models.