Subproblem Finite-Element Refinement of Inductors From Wire to Static and Dynamic Volume Models

Progressive refinements of inductors are done with a subproblem method, from their wire or filament representations with Biot–Savart models up to their volume finite-element models, from statics to dynamics. The reaction fields of additional magnetic and/or conducting regions are also considered. Accuracy improvements are efficiently obtained for local fields and global quantities, i.e., inductances, resistances, Joule losses, and forces.

I. Introduction

The numerical modeling of inductors can be tackled at various levels of precision, with progressive refinements from wire (or filament) to volume finite-element (FE) representations of their conductors (coils), which improve the local field distributions, and from static to dynamic excitations that accurately render skin and proximity effects [1], [2]. Both inductance and resistance determinations are thus also improved.