Finite elements and electrical machine design

This paper describes the application of the finite element method for solution of linear magnetic field problems in two dimensions. The method has been applied to the analysis of slots with various geometries to compute the effect of slotting on the magnetic flux distribution in the air gap and to compute the slot leakage reactance. Results obtained with the finite element method are compared with closed form solutions, and good agreement is obtained between the two solutions in the cases of idealized geometry. However, considerable discrepancy in the two results is observed in the cases of complex geometry.