Finite element analysis of coupled electromechanical problems

The modeling of electromechanical problems is discussed. The simultaneous consideration of two distinct phenomena is required, as the evolution of the electromagnetic and the mechanical parts are influenced by each other. In this work the equations of the coupled problem are described and possible methods of solution are considered. Three general approaches with varying degrees of detail are considered. In the first, a lumped parameter model of the device is constructed from the finite element solution of the electromagnetic problem. A second approach links the electromagnetic field directly with the lumped mechanical part. Lastly, both the electromagnetic and the mechanical systems are considered to be distributed, with the individual domains solved by using the finite element method. In the process of solution of transient problems the need to solve differential-algebraic systems of equations arises and some approaches are presented. It is shown that traditional finite difference formulas may be applied as long as the discretization is made at the element level. Higher order methods and step adaptation are discussed. (author)SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DXN050313 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo