Finite element formulation and analysis of three dimensional magnetic field problems

A three dimensional finite element formulation and algorithm for the solution of 3-d magnetic fields was developed. The method is presented here with applications to determination of local flux densities in a 3-d field pattern, as well as global energy calculations of an air cored coil. The results compare well with closed form solution results. Experimental test data of the coil inductance is in agreement with finite element results. The development represents a new technique which is a potentially very powerful tool in many practical applications.