Electromechanical Analysis Using Systems Models

While the finite-element techniques accurately predict electromechanical behavior of magnetic devices, many engineers need systems models instead. Design of such systems is carried out nowadays using systems software such as SPICE, MATLAB, and Simplorer. This chapter discusses how magnetic actuators and sensors can be modeled with such systems software. Since most magnetic devices are connected to electric circuits, electric circuit simulation software is appropriate. If an equivalent electric circuit can be found for the magnetic device, then it can be inserted in the circuit software. The development and simulation of VHDL-AMS models is supported by Simplorer. It contains wizards, importers, exporters, schematics, netlists, digital stimuli, and other VHDL-AMS modeling capabilities. MATLAB performs engineering calculations with and without matrices. Simulink provides efficient graphical way for MATLAB users to model and simulate control systems in block diagram form. The chapter demonstrates a simple way to include eddy current effects in systems models.