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The aim of the paper is to investigate the impacts of simplifications of a reduced-order simulation model of squirrel cage induction machines (SCIMs) by numerical experiments.

Design of setups to isolate the main influences on the results of the reduced-order model of SCIMs. Results of time-stepping finite element calculations are used as benchmark.

Whereas neglecting eddy current effects and the assumption of a sinusoidal rotor current distribution leads to acceptable deviations in regular inverter operation, the sampling and interpolation of the machine parameters in a two-axis coordinate system considerably deteriorate the model accuracy. Using a polar coordinate system for this purpose is expected to significantly improve the model quality.

Preparing the ground for a successful, both fast and accurate simulation model of SCIMs as parts of electrified drivetrains.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the state of the art of finite element analysis of electrical machines and transformers. Electrical machines and transformers are prime examples of multi‐physical systems involving electromagnetics, thermal issues, fluid dynamics, structural mechanics as well as acoustic phenomena. An accurate operational performance with different electrical and mechanical load situations is more and more evaluated using various numerical analysis methods including the couplings between the various physical domains. Therefore, numerical analysis methods are increasingly utilized not only for the verification of contractual values of existing machines, but also for the initial design process and for the design optimization of new machines.

The finite element method is the most powerful numerical analysis method for such multi‐physical devices. Since optimizations with respect to the overall performance and also the total manufacturing costs will become more important, the utilization of coupled multi‐physical analyses is of growing interest. For the fast and powerful application of this numerical analysis method, special attention should be given to the requirements of these electromagnetic devices.

Various methods of coupling the different physical domains of multi‐field finite element analyses are described. Thereby, weakly coupled cascade algorithms can be used with most problems in the field of electrical machines and transformers. On the other hand, a prime objective is to derive comprehensive, multi‐physical simulation models which are easily incorporated into design tools used by engineering professionals.

The development of robust and reliable computer‐aided tools for an optimal design of multi‐physical devices such electrical machines and transformers has to argue about the best possible coupling of various simulation methods. Special consideration shall be paid more and more to a treatment of uncertainties and tolerances by means of statistical and probabilistic approaches.

The paper discusses state of the art of finite element analyses of the mentioned devices. Various optimized methods of modelling and analysis concerning the repetitive structure of electrical machines for electromagnetic analyses are compared with their advantages and drawbacks. Further, various methods of coupling the different domains of multi‐field analyses in case of electrical machines and transformers are described.

An accurate calculation of eddy current losses in the stator clamping parts of large hydro generators is a matter of particular interest with the initial design and the design optimization because they can reach high values and produce local thermal hot‐spots due to the non‐linear magnetic behaviour of the clamping plate.

With a fully 3D approach of the generator pole pitch, both time‐harmonic and non‐linear transient finite element analyses are carried out for the eddy currents using a magnetic vector potential formulation.

With the introduction of a novel modelling strategy for the non‐linear clamping plate, the total eddy current losses evaluated from both analysis methods show a good agreement. Nevertheless, the time‐harmonic solution in comparison with the non‐linear transient solution yields different local eddy current distributions in particular with the clamping plate.

The presented analyses use only the fundamental harmonic in the end region field. Further research will need to be carried out for the influence of the higher harmonics in the end region field and again the comparison of both analysis methods.

With the intention of including the numerical analyses with design review and design optimization of the generators, the results obtained from both analysis methods are compared regarding the total eddy current losses as well as their local distributions.

With a fully 3D approach of the generator pole pitch, second order pentahedral and hexahedral edge elements are introduced with both time‐harmonic and non‐linear transient eddy current finite element analyses.

To maintain quality, performance and competitiveness, the eddy current losses in metal parts of power transformers in the range of 50‐200 MVA are investigated in a more detailed form. The finite element calculations utilize different modelling strategies for the current carrying metal parts. Several global and local results are further used to obtain simplified calculation approaches for an inclusion in the initial design and the design optimization. The results from two finite element approaches using nodal and edge based formulations will be compared with measurements.

A novel analytic method for determining the no‐load voltage shape of salient pole synchronous generators is presented. The algorithm takes into account the full influence of the damper winding and the saturation effects in the stator teeth. Main interest is an easy and very fast calculation method, which can be used as a criteria for the selection of the number of stator winding slots in the initial design calculation or an optimization process. The analytical results obtained are compared with the results of transient finite element analyses.

An overview is given on design features, numerical modelling and testing of a novel electromagnetic actuator to achieve a controllable stiffness to be used as a device for parametric stiffness excitation.

In principle, the actuator consists of a current driven coil placed between two permanent magnets. Repellent forces are generated between the coil and the magnets, centering the coil between the two magnets. The 2D finite element analyses are carried out to predict the forces generated by this arrangement depending on coil current and coil position. Force measurements are also made using the actual device.

Actuator forces as predicted by the finite element analyses are in excellent agreement with the measured data, confirming the validity of the numerical model. Stiffness of the actuator is defined as the increase of force per unit of coil displacement. Actuator stiffness depends linearly on the coil current but in a nonlinear manner on the coil displacement. The performance of the actuator is sufficient to demonstrate the effect of a so‐called parametric anti‐resonance on a test stand.

Although the performance of the actuator is satisfactory, there is potential for further improvement of the actuator design.

This paper reports for the first time on an electromechanical device to create a time‐periodic stiffness variation to be used for research in the field of parametrically excited mechanical systems. The device is used to prove experimentally an effect to suppress mechanical vibrations which has been studied so far only in theoretical studies.

Presents an annotated bibliography of journals and magazines useful to students and professors of German studies. The publications listed are suitable for academic and large public libraries.

Benchmarking is more than just a comparison of measures about different company’s performance in a wider sense. It is a methodology of learning‐comparing‐learning, at least within small and medium sized enterprises. This learning is not just limited to learn by copying successful concepts from other enterprises or competitors. It starts in learning more about the own company, about its structure and processes causing its own success or its failure. This kind of learning is necessary before the enterprise starts watching for a suitable Benchmarking partner. Learning from each other’s strengths and weaknesses is the main goal of the European research project Quality beyond Borders! By using the Benchmarking methodology, small and medium sized enterprises get the opportunity to take part in a Benchmarking study and can learn more about the different strengths and weaknesses of other enterprises on both sides of the border. The results of such a Benchmarking can help to identify potentials for future cooperations among German and Polish enterprises in the same market or business. These potentials can lie in different ways of realising the same success or top‐position. The Benchmarking study is not focused on an special business or region. That helps to find out trends for different kinds of top‐positions, which can be claimed in all markets within a country. Every trend is characterised by different success factors which are responsible for the success in this top‐position. In a first overview, the results of the Benchmarking study show 5 different groups of top‐positions within a market which all have different profiles regarding to the importance of their success factors. By the end of the Benchmarking study it will be possible, to give answer about the special reasons for different kind of successes of these groups. These answers can be related to a special region within a country, a special business or of course related to possible differences in the expression of the group success factors in comparison of both countries.

This study examined the effects of event sponsorship, in the context of the two most recent FIFA World Cup (FWC) events hosted in Europe (France 1998 and Germany 2006). More than 4,000 teenagers were incorporated into the sample in order to measure recall and image values for official FWC sponsors. The comparative findings suggest that it is nearly impossible to generalise about whether sponsoring the FWC is effective or not as a communication tool. For some companies it definitely is effective; for others the effects are limited. Ambush marketing, however, seems to be an effective alternative.

The topic of environmental protection has always been of great concern in Germany, the establishment of environmental data sources started in the 1970s. The development of environmental information system technology in Germany is outlined and two examples are given: the Environmental Planning and Information System (UMPLIS) and the Integrated Public Environmental Information System (UIS) Baden‐Wuerttemberg. Relevant German environmental data sources are discussed, such as Environmental Literature Database (ULIDAT), Environmental Research Projects Database (UFORDAT), and Environmental Law Databases (URDB), as well as the chemical databases which comprise environmental information – the BEILSTEIN database and the Landolt‐Boernstein database. The Information System for Environmental Chemicals with its four metadatabases – Metadatabase of Literature on Environmental Chemicals (DALI), Metadatabase of Online Databases for Environmental Chemicals (DADB), Metadatabase of CD‐ROMs for Environmental Chemicals (DACD), and the Metadatabase of Internet Resources (DAIN).