FEM input data reduction: An automatic procedure for mesh building in magnetic field studies

An automatic procedure is presented for implementing Finite Element magnetic field analysis techniques in the design of electric machines, transformers and related devices. By means of the Boundary Element Method , a mesh is obtained for studying the magnetic field in a given region by the Finite Element Method. In this way , input data can be reduced and more accurate final data acquired on the region considered, while ensuring a big decrease in program run-time (if an FE iterative procedure is used). The advantages of the procedure are illustrated by its application to a transformer. Comparison of the magnetic field values obtained by the proposed procedure and those by the classical Finite Element Method reveals better agreement with measured values in the case of the former and a 20% reduction in program run-time.