2D and 3D finite element modeling of electrical machines

Finite element solution of Maxwell's equations are well established and many laboratories and industries use these techniques to design electrical machines. When these techniques are coupled with electrical circuits, the machine may be investigated as well as in an experimental bench. Such experiments as transient analysis and frequency response that lead to an accurate and complete model, may then be simulated. At the end of the machine, the electromagnetic phenomena that develop around the windings are essentially 3D and no significant approximation may be made in order to compute the eddy currents that develop at the end of the laminations. This specific problem is very important since extra Joule losses are generated that increase with time and reduce the life time of the machine. A specific 3D formulation is then necessary to compute these currents. In this paper, the authors present some examples of analysis of electrical machines in 2D and 3D approximations.