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Computational electromagnetic in education: finite element analysis of induction cookers’ electromagnetic and thermal fields

Authors:
AbstractIn-house computer code EleFAnT2D developed at the Institute for Fundamentals and Theory in Electrical
Engineering (IGTE) TU Graz is used to compute by the Finite Element Method distributions of electromagnetic and
thermal fields of household induction cookers. The code EleFAnT2D and developed numerical models are used during the
Bachelor and Master students training at the Department for Electrical Apparatus, National Technical University
“Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute”, Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Index Termselectromagnetic field, Finite Element Method, induction cooker, thermal field.
I. INTRODUCTION
The Department for Electrical Apparatus, National
Technical University “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute”,
Kharkiv, Ukraine [1] is the only Department in Ukraine
and, probably, in Europe which trains Bachelor and
Master students in the field of study “Electrical
Household Appliance”. Graduates of the Department are
Electrical Engineers working in the area of investigation,
analysis, design and operation of various household
devices for heating, conditioning, cooking, etc.
To increase professional skill of its graduates the
Department intensifies teaching in the field of
Computational Electromagnetics. In cooperation with
the Institute for Fundamentals and Theory in Electrical
Engineering (IGTE) TU Graz the Department uses
widely the EleFAnT2D computer code [2] developed at
the IGTE to build a relatively simple finite element
models and simulate electromagnetic and thermal field
distributions of induction cookers as examples of modern
electrical household appliances. This helps students to
understand principles of computational electromagnetics
and make initial steps in practical numerical analysis.
II. SIMPLE MODELS OF INDUCTION COOKERS AND
OBTAINED RESULTS
The typical design of an induction cooker and its
inductor is presented in Fig. 1. In its turn, Fig. 2 shows
examples of axisymmetrical models developed by
Ukrainian students during their stay at the IGTE under
Figure 1: Design of an induction cooker and its inductor.
Figure 2: Numerical models developed.
the guidance of their Austrian tutors. The models include
a copper inductor, a steel or aluminum pan with thin
ferromagnetic layer, a ferrite core and non-conductive
regions. The frequency of AC current in the inductor is
20-100 kHz.
The spatial distributions of electromagnetic and
thermal fields are modelled by the EleFAnT2D computer
code [2] in axisymmetrical formulation with
corresponding boundary conditions. Examples of
obtained distributions are presented in Fig. 3 (on the left
flux density distribution and on the right pan’s
temperature field calculated). Detailed description and
analysis of obtained numerical results will be presented
in the extended paper.
Figure 3: Examples of obtained numerical results.
REFERENCES
[1] http://web.kpi.kharkov.ua/ea/about-the-department/
[2] http://www.igte.tugraz.at/de/elefant/elefant.html
Computational Electromagnetics in Education:
Finite Element Analysis of Induction Cookers’
Electromagnetic and Thermal Fields
1Michael G. Pantelyat, 2Oszkár Bíró and 2Thomas Bauernfeind
1Department for Electrical Apparatus, National Technical University “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute”,
Frunze Str. 21, UA-61002 Kharkiv, Ukraine
2Institute for Fundamentals and Theory in Electrical Engineering TU Graz, Inffeldgasse 18, A-8010 Graz, Austria
1 IGTE 2016
Article
Full-text available
For computer modeling of multiphysics processes in complex modern technical objects, for example, in actuators and electromagnets of vacuum switching devices, it is necessary to use modern application software aimed at solving the entire spectrum of the specified problems or one or another "subset" of them. Complexes of applied programs must implement modern mathematical models and corresponding effective numerical algorithms, as well as have convenient interfaces both for the preparation and input of initial information (preprocessor), and for the output and analysis of the obtained results (postprocessor). The presence of the most "user-friendly" preprocessor and postprocessor is extremely important, considering the significant complexity of the processes being modeled, as well as the structures considered by the researcher and/or design engineer. It is of interest to carry out a comparative analysis of specific software products, with the aim of choosing a "tool" for the implementation of a complex of computational studies (computer modeling of multiphysics processes in the structural elements of medium and high voltage vacuum switching devices, taking into account contact phenomena), specified above. The article considers the criteria by which a reasonable choice of software can be made, which will be directly used for mathematical modeling of technical objects and processes under consideration.
Pantelyat, 2 Oszkár Bíró and 2 Thomas Bauernfeind
  • G Michael
Michael G. Pantelyat, 2 Oszkár Bíró and 2 Thomas Bauernfeind