Applying continuum design sensitivity analysis combined with standard EM software to shape optimization in magnetostatic problems

This paper explores the physical meaning of pseudosources of an adjoint system in a continuum design sensitivity analysis (CDSA) when applied to shape optimization in magnetostatics. An efficient and practical way to compute the required gradient information with standard electromagnetic (EM) software packages is suggested. Based on this novel methodology, designers will be able to deal with practical design optimization of electro-mechanical devices using existing analysis tools without the need to access the complicated code of the EM software. The applicability of the proposed methodology is demonstrated by optimizing the salient pole face shape of a high-temperature superconducting synchronous generator.

I. Introduction

In RECENT years, general-purpose electromanetic (EM) software packages, such as OPERA, FLUX, MAGNET, MAXWELL, ANSYS, and others, have been widely used in industry as well as in academia to estimate and evaluate the performance of electromechanical devices. However, it is difficult to satisfy—using such commercial programs—the ultimate aim of the engineers of achieving an optimal design of a machine.