Combining the Magnetic Equivalent Circuit and Maxwell–Fourier Method for Eddy-Current Loss Calculation

Abstract

In this paper, a hybrid model in Cartesian coordinates combining a two-dimensional (2-D) generic magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) with a 2-D analytical model based on the Maxwell–Fourier method (i.e., the formal resolution of Maxwell’s equations by using the separation of variables method and the Fourier’s series) is developed. This model coupling has been applied to a U-cored static electromagnetic device. The main objective is to compute the magnetic field behavior in massive conductive parts (e.g., aluminum, magnets, copper, iron) considering the skin effect (i.e., with the eddy-current reaction field) and to predict the eddy-current losses. The magnetic field distribution for various models is validated with 2-D and three-dimensional (3-D) finite-element analysis (FEA). The study is also focused on the discretization influence of 2-D generic MEC on the eddy-current loss calculation in conductive regions. Experimental tests and 3-D FEA have been compared with the proposed approach on massive conductive parts in aluminum. For an operating point, the computation time is divided by ~4.6 with respect to 3-D FEA.