Finite Element Small-Signal Simulation of Electromagnetic Devices Considering Eddy Currents in the Laminations

This paper presents the validation of a small-signal finite-element simulation strategy comparing different simulation approaches. At first, a full 3-D non-linear model in the time domain is presented. Then, the small-signal strategy has been applied to the 3-D model achieving a considerable reduction of computational time. In both 3-D models, the eddy currents in the laminations are fully modeled. Then, in order to avoid 3-D model, a 2-D model has been considered. In this case, eddy currents are included adopting a homogenization technique. In the 2-D case, both non-linear time domain simulations and small-signal strategy have been implemented. The results of the four considered simulation strategies are in very good agreement, proving that the small-signal simulation strategy can be profitably used in order to reduce significantly the computational cost. As an example, this paper considers a two-port mutual inductor as a test model.