G. Aiello, S. Alfonzetti, E. Dilettoso and N. Salerno
This paper aims to propose a hybrid method, called finite element method‐Dirichlet boundary condition iteration (FEM‐DBCI), for the computation of time‐harmonic eddy current…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose a hybrid method, called finite element method‐Dirichlet boundary condition iteration (FEM‐DBCI), for the computation of time‐harmonic eddy current problems inside a conductor heated by coils in 3D open‐boundary geometry.
Design/methodology/approach
The method assumes the electrical field as unknown on a mesh of tetrahedral edge elements. The heating power density inside the conductor is then computed and a steady‐state thermal analysis is performed on the same mesh of nodal tetrahedra to calculate the temperature distribution inside the heated piece, taking radiation and convection into account. A numerical example is also provided.
Findings
The method couples a differential equation for the interior problem in terms of the electric fields with an integral equation for the exterior one. The global algebraic system is efficiently solved in an iterative way.
Originality/value
The paper illustrates the computation of time‐harmonic eddy current problems inside a conductor heated by coils.
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S. Alfonzetti, G. Aiello, E. Dilettoso and N. Salerno
This paper aims to discuss various numerical implementations of the integral equation in the hybrid finite element method‐Dirichlet boundary condition iteration (FEM‐DBCI) method…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to discuss various numerical implementations of the integral equation in the hybrid finite element method‐Dirichlet boundary condition iteration (FEM‐DBCI) method for the numerical solution of unbounded static and quasi‐static electromagnetic field problems.
Design/methodology/approach
Three numerical implementations are described and compared from the point of view of accuracy and complexity, by means of two examples regarding simple electrostatic problems.
Findings
The implementation by means of a pair of integration surfaces made of element sides leads to accuracy levels which are much better than that of a single surface (made of element sides) and only a little worse than that of a single surface connecting point in the middle of finite element sides.
Practical implications
The former implementations, however, are simpler since they are practically the same as that of a standard boundary element method integral equation.
Originality/value
The paper constitutes a useful guide to the implementation of the FEM‐DBCI method.
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Introduces papers from this area of expertise from the ISEF 1999 Proceedings. States the goal herein is one of identifying devices or systems able to provide prescribed…
Abstract
Introduces papers from this area of expertise from the ISEF 1999 Proceedings. States the goal herein is one of identifying devices or systems able to provide prescribed performance. Notes that 18 papers from the Symposium are grouped in the area of automated optimal design. Describes the main challenges that condition computational electromagnetism’s future development. Concludes by itemizing the range of applications from small activators to optimization of induction heating systems in this third chapter.
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Giovanni Aiello, Salvatore Alfonzetti, Giuseppe Borzì, Emanuele Dilettoso and Nunzio Salerno
This paper aims to extend an efficient method to solve the global system of linear algebraic equations in the hybrid finite element method – boundary element method (FEM‐BEM…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to extend an efficient method to solve the global system of linear algebraic equations in the hybrid finite element method – boundary element method (FEM‐BEM) solution of open‐boundary skin effect problems. The extension covers the cases in which the skin effect problem is set in a truncated domain in which no homogeneous Dirichlet conditions are imposed.
Design/methodology/approach
The extended method is based on use of the generalized minimal residual (GMRES) solver, which is applied virtually to the reduced system of equations in which the unknowns are the nodal values of the normal derivative of the magnetic vector potential on the fictitious truncation boundary. In each step of the GMRES algorithm the FEM equations are solved by means of the standard complex conjugate gradient solver, whereas the BEM equations are not solved but used to perform fast matrix‐by‐vector multiplications. The BEM equations are written in a non‐conventional way, by making the nodes for the potential non‐coinciding with the nodes for its normal derivative.
Findings
The paper shows that the method proposed is very competitive with respect to other methods to solve open‐boundary skin effect problems.
Originality/value
The paper illustrates a new method to solve efficiently skin effect problems in open boundary domains by means of the hybrid FEM‐BEM method.
Details
Keywords
Introduces the fourth and final chapter of the ISEF 1999 Proceedings by stating electric and magnetic fields are influenced, in a reciprocal way, by thermal and mechanical fields…
Abstract
Introduces the fourth and final chapter of the ISEF 1999 Proceedings by stating electric and magnetic fields are influenced, in a reciprocal way, by thermal and mechanical fields. Looks at the coupling of fields in a device or a system as a prescribed effect. Points out that there are 12 contributions included ‐ covering magnetic levitation or induction heating, superconducting devices and possible effects to the human body due to electric impressed fields.
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Giovanni Aiello, Salvatore Alfonzetti and Nunzio Salerno
The purpose of this paper is to present a modified version of the hybrid Finite Element Method-Dirichlet Boundary Condition Iteration method for the solution of open-boundary skin…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a modified version of the hybrid Finite Element Method-Dirichlet Boundary Condition Iteration method for the solution of open-boundary skin effect problems.
Design/methodology/approach
The modification consists of overlapping the truncation and the integration boundaries of the standard method, so that the integral equation becomes singular as in the well-known Finite Element Method-Boundary Element Method (FEM-BEM) method. The new method is called FEM-SDBCI. Assuming an unknown Dirichlet condition on the truncation boundary, the global algebraic system is constituted by the sparse FEM equations and by the dense integral equations, in which singularities arise. Analytical formulas are provided to compute these singular integrals. The global system is solved by means of a Generalized Minimal Residual iterative procedure.
Findings
The proposed method leads to slightly less accurate numerical results than FEM-BEM, but the latter requires much more computing time.
Practical implications
Then FEM-SDBCI appears more appropriate than FEM-BEM for applications which require a shorter computing time, for example in the stochastic optimization of electromagnetic devices.
Originality/value
Note that FEM-SDBCI assumes a Dirichlet condition on the truncation boundary, whereas FEM-BEM assumes a Neumann one.
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Giovanni Aiello, Salvatore Alfonzetti, Giuseppe Borzì, Santi Agatino Rizzo and Nunzio Salerno
– The purpose of this paper is to compare the hybrid FEM-BEM and FEM-DBCI methods for the solution of open-boundary static and quasi-static electromagnetic field problems.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to compare the hybrid FEM-BEM and FEM-DBCI methods for the solution of open-boundary static and quasi-static electromagnetic field problems.
Design/methodology/approach
After a brief review of the two methods (both coupling a differential equation for the interior problem with an integral equation for the exterior one), they are compared in terms of accuracy, memory and computing time requirements by means of a set of simple examples.
Findings
The comparison suggests that FEM-BEM is more accurate than FEM-DBCI but requires more computing time.
Practical implications
Then FEM-DBCI appears more appropriate for applications which require a shorter computing time, for example in the stochastic optimization of electromagnetic devices. Conversely, FEM-BEM is more appropriate in cases in which a high level of precision is required in a single computation.
Originality/value
Note that the FEM-BEM considered in this paper is a non standard one in which the nodes of the normal derivative on the truncation boundary are placed in positions different from those of the potential.
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Giovanni Aiello, Salvatore Alfonzetti, Santi Agatino Rizzo and Nunzio Salerno
The optimization of the cross section of an axisymmetric induction heating device is performed by means of genetic algorithms (GAs).
Abstract
Purpose
The optimization of the cross section of an axisymmetric induction heating device is performed by means of genetic algorithms (GAs).
Design/methodology/approach
The hybrid finite element method–Dirichlet boundary condition iteration method is used to deal with the unbounded nature of the field. The formulation of the electromagnetic problems takes into account skin and proximity effects in the source currents.
Findings
The convergence of GAs towards the optimum is very fast, since less than a thousand analyses have been necessary.
Originality/value
A special derivation of the finite element global system is presented which allows us to save computing time.