Mixing 2D with 3D finite elements in magnetic models

Author

Brauer, J.R. ; Schaefer, S.M. ; Lambert, N.J. ; MacNeal, B.E.

Author_Institution

MacNeal-Schwendler Corp., Milwaukee, WI, USA

Volume

26

Issue

5

fYear

1990

fDate

9/1/1990 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

2193

Lastpage

2195

Abstract

Two-dimensional air-gap elements are shown to allow accurate magnetic-field calculation when placed in a vector potential finite-element model of a three-dimensional device containing steel. Two-dimensional conducting elements are also shown to be useful in three-dimensional magnetostatic problems. The two-dimensional elements reduce the number of grid points and hence the modeling and solution times. Changing element thickness is made much simpler than with all three-dimensional elements. Example models and calculated magnetic fields are shown for a simplified three-dimensional claw-pole alternator model with all three-dimensional elements as compared with two-dimensional air-gap elements. Another example uses two-dimensional conducting elements to create three-dimensional magnetic fields

Keywords

finite element analysis; magnetic devices; magnetic fields; 2D finite elements; 3D finite elements; claw-pole alternator model; conducting elements; element thickness; grid points; magnetic models; magnetic-field calculation; magnetostatic problems; solution times; steel; three-dimensional device; two-dimensional air-gap elements; two-dimensional conducting elements; vector potential finite-element model; Air gaps; Alternators; Equations; Finite element methods; Magnetic analysis; Magnetic devices; Magnetic fields; Magnetostatics; Shape; Steel;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9464

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/20.104666

Filename

104666