Product category:
Simulation, modelling and validation software
News Release from: Vector Fields | Subject: Opera 2d
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 28 October 2003
Simulator solves switched reluctance
conundrum
Opera 2d simulation software is being continuously developed for the analysis of electrical and magnetic devices, recently adding thermal analyses.
The switched reluctance motor, where stator poles are fired in sequence, was established in 1838 but only recently has power switching technology become available for reliable product to be designed The attraction is simplicity - hence reliability and production economy
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 29 Sep 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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However the R and D investment would be commercially uneconomical, whereas the rival induction motor has had over a century of development.
The prime difficulty has been in measuring parameters such as inductance and drawn current even when stationary, let alone any dynamic analysis.
Opera 2d simulation software from Vector Fields of Oxford overcomes both these problems in minimal time.
A two-dimensional generic model was generated using Opera and specific parameters entered to build a geometric model which could then be rotated.
The programme was able to create 30 model variants in one hour and then analyse all in one overnight run, providing flux contours and phase winding flux linkage profiles.
Simple mathematics was then used to predict the final motor performance over a range of working load conditions.
Practical results show an incredible degree of correlation between predicted and actual values.
Further refinements improved the performance of the switched reluctance motor and providing efficiencies above that of the induction motor, particularly with flatter characteristics either side of the designed operating conditions.
The advanced analysis included the measurement of the stator forces, reduction of which resulted in much quieter motors.
Once optimisation of the initial model was complete Opera 2d can be used to scale for designs of a range of motors to meet specific client demands.
Opera 2d is being continuously developed by Vector Fields for the analysis of electrical and magnetic devices, recently adding thermal analyses.
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