A formulation for 3D moving conductor eddy current problems

A three-dimensional finite element formulation for moving conductor problems is outlined. Upwinding is shown to be important at high values of the Peclet number. The authors consider only the type of moving conductor problem in which the moving member is invariant in the cross section which is normal to the direction of motion. This allows motion to be taken into account using the usual Minkowski transformation, which leads to a steady-state solution for constant speed moving conductor problems. A problem of interest in MAGLEV (magnetic levitation) advanced transport system design is considered as an example