Topology optimization in magnetic fields using the homogenization design method

Abstract

To improve the performance of electric machinery, it is necessary to obtain the optimal topology of a structure in magnetic fields. The homogenization design method is applied to obtain the optimal topology. In the method, the change of inner hole size and rotational angle of unit cell determines the optimal material distribution in a design domain and this distribution defines an optimal topology. The objective function is defined as maximizing magnetic mean compliance (MMC). This is the same as maximizing magnetic vector potential and effective to improve the performance of electomagnet. The analysis and optimization is performed based on three-dimensional hexahedral elements. This design method is applied to the H-shaped electromagnet (H-magnet). Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.