Scalar Magnetic Potential Interpolation for Non-Conformal Meshing in Mesh-Based Generated Reluctance Networks

The aim of this paper is to assess the efficacy of non-conformal meshing in mesh-based generated reluctance network modeling. A representative semi-numerical example is introduced to demonstrate the possibilities and accuracy offered by a non-conformal meshing. In a conformal mesh, two reluctance block elements share the same branch. This makes the computation faster and more accurate but is not convenient for motion processing or mesh relaxation and it does not solve the air-gap modeling problem (rotor/stator connectivity). To solve this, different approaches are used. The interpolation approach developed in this paper aims to render motion processing independent of discretization. This approach is also applied to couple different meshes (spatial discretization) and makes it possible to connect a lumped parameter model to a meshed one. The model is divided into independent zones that are connected via the interpolation coupling. Several reluctance network (RN) non-conformal meshes are presented and global quantities are compared to a fine-meshed finite-element model. Magnetic saturation is considered in the iron parts. Comparisons are provided under open-circuit and on-load configurations for flux linkage and force. The main advantage is to overcome the limitations of generic RN for which the movement modeling requires remeshing at each position. The drawbacks of the method are the increased number of variables (additional interface nodes) and a certain loss of accuracy due to the interpolation function order.