Three dimensional magnetic fields in extra high speed modified Lundell alternators computed by a combined vector-scalar magnetic potential finite element method

A three-dimensional (3-D) finite-element (FE) approach was developed and implemented for computation of global magnetic fields in a 14.3 kVA modified Lundell alternator. The essence of the method is the combined use of magnetic vector and scalar potential formulations in 3-D FEs. This approach makes it practical, using state-of-the-art supercomputer resources, to globally analyze magnetic fields and operating performances of rotating machines which have 3-D magnetic flux patterns. The 3-D FE computed fields and machine inductances as well as various machine performance simulations of the 14.3-kVA machine are presented.>