SOME ASPECTS OF OPTIMIZATION TECHNIQUES FOR ELECTROMAGNETIC DEVICES

Abstract

ABSTRACT The optimized design of electromagnetic devices, such as transformers and electrical machines, is usually formulated as a general non-linear programming problem by its objective (cost function) and constraints (performance) functions. Direct search optimization methods are used to find the optimal design parameters of the device. With these methods, the solution is approximated in an iterative procedure, starting from an initial design and improvement is achieved with successive iterations. The paper deals with some aspects of three optimization techniques for electromagnetic devices: The SUMT (Sequential Unconstrained Minimization Technique), Least p-th approximation method and the Boundary search method. By clarifying these aspects and discussing some of the difficulties in applying these methods, the paper may assist the engineer who approaches the design of electromagnetic devices mathematically as a general programming problem.