Introduction to Electromagnetism, Ferromagnetism, and Electromechanical Energy Conversion

Summary

This chapter introduces the theory of electromagnetism, ferromagnetism, and electromechanical energy conversion. It begins with a review of Maxwell's equations and the basics of electromagnetism. It presents the magnetic properties of ferromagnetic materials and discusses inductor theory. The chapter also presents an example based on the power inductor of a hybrid electric vehicle. Electromagnetic and electromechanical devices are made up of coupled electric and magnetic circuits. Electromechanical machines combine mechanical action and electromagnetism. Examples of these machines are electric motors, generators, and contactors. Ferromagnetic materials guide magnetic fields and, due to their high permeability, require a small magnetic field strength to produce the desired flux density. The operation of the inductor is closely related to that of the transformer. Inductors have many uses in engineering, usually as energy storage devices or as filter components to reduce ripple in current.