Design of Salient Structures Using Parameterized Finite Element Models

The action of many electrical machines is based on magnetic forces in salient structures. Examples are switched reluctance machines, magnetic bearings etc. The force production behaviour of many of these machines can be approximately described using analytic methods, based for example on simple magnetic circuits and the principal of virtual work. These methods are well known to be very poor where non linearities are involved. Here, we present simple models which can be used in the initial part of a design of many such machines. These models are non linear and are based on parameterized finite element models