An Effective Method for Optimal Design of Electric Machines Based on Finite Element Analysis

Abstract

This paper presents an effective method for optimal design of electric machines. In this method, three numerical techniques are employed to save computational time related to the time-stepping finite element method (T-S FEM). The first technique involves using the field-circuit coupling steady state FEM to calculate initial values for the time-stepping finite element analysis. The steady state method uses a simpler, faster model to estimate the initial values reasonably close to the actual ones. The second technique is an adaptive meshing adjustment for minor shape modifications in which minor geometric changes can be made without re-meshing. The third technique involves using state variables from the previous design iteration as the initial conditions for the next iteration. Together these three techniques can reduce the total simulation time required to optimally design an electric machine. An example 5.5kW induction motor is discussed and the results demonstrate a significant reduction in simulation time