A new iterative scalar potential method for 3D eddy current calculations in electrical devices

A novel technique for 3D eddy current computations is presented which is based on an iterative scalar potential (ISP) method in general media. The resulting equations were solved using a finite-element method based on a Galerkin procedure. The partial differential equations governing the eddy current problem were solved in a related integral form utilizing Green´s theorem. A major advantage of the proposed method is that the numerical problem is solved in terms of electromagnetic field variables which have a physical meaning. Another major advantage is that there is one degree of freedom per node, which results in sizable savings in CPU time. The numerical results utilizing this technique were obtained in less than one-half the CPU time consumed utilizing the A-Φ method for the same 3D grid size