3D EDDY-CURRENT COMPUTATION IN THE TRANSVERSE FLUX INDUCTION-HEATING EQUIPMENT

This paper describes a 3D computation of transverse flux inductors used for heating strip and thin slabs. The adopted mathematical model consists of a differential equation system for the steady-state eddy current problem in a configuration comprising a magnetic vector potential and a scalar potential and a Fourier's thermal conduction equation for moved media. The finite element method is applied in conjunction with the Galerkin method. The simplifications and boundary conditions required for an efficient solution are discussed. The discretization of the numerical model is set up with the aid of macroelements and includes upwards of 100 000 nodes for simple builds. The suitability of the numerical method developed for optimum design of transverse flux inductors is demonstrated by some results.