Coupling between finite elements and boundary elements for the numerical simulation of induction heating processes using a harmonic balance method

For the modeling of induction heating processes, strongly coupled magnetodynamic and thermal problems can be solved together within the same finite element. This is called the direct method. In this case, the electromagnetic quantities are expressed through Fourier series according to the harmonic balance method. In this paper, each harmonic is calculated in the whole space by using the coupling between finite elements and boundary elements. Especially suitable when moving parts are involved and because the mesh of air is unnecessary, it is shown that this coupling is still successful if the direct method is used. At the end, the efficiency of this approach is illustrated with an example.