Multi-Physics Coupling Simulation Technique for Phase Stable Cables

Abstract

This paper is concerned with calculating the phase stability of a phase stable cable with multi-physics coupling simulations. A three-dimensional electromagnetic-thermal-flow-mechanics multi-physics coupling model is established to simulate the phase stable cable operating in air. The simulation results demonstrate that the electric field distribution of the corrugated cable shows differences from that of a normal coaxial cable around the outer conductor, i.e., the electric field is stronger around the sharp points of the outer conductor than the blunt points, which elevates the voltage endurance requirement of the cable and the risk of breakdown during the transmission of high power. Regarding the thermal deformation, simulations reveal that the corrugated outer conductor restrains the insulation from expanding along both the cross-section direction and the axial direction, and the thermal expansion might be manipulated through the proper design of the outer conductor parameters. Finally, the consistency between the simulated and measured results of phase stability witnesses the validity of the multi-physics coupling model, and its accuracy might be refined with more precise material properties.