EE 361 ELECTROMECHANICAL CONVERSION I

MAGNETIC CIRCUITS, SOLVED PROBLEMS

Q 1 The single magnetic loop shown in Fig.1a is excited by a permanent magnet whose characteristic
(MPN) is shown in Fig.1b. Find the length of the magnet m to produce maximum energy in the airgap, (neglect fringing). A g Am

10 cm2 s

As

100 cm, g

1 cm ,

500 ( steel).

SOLUTION
H m m

H s

Bm Am

Hg g
Bs As

0 , Am

As

B g Ag , Bm

Ag
r

Bm

H m , Bs

Bs

, Bg

Bg
0

Hg

Equation of the operating line OP :

Am
m

Hm

g
0

s
Bm
s As

Ag

Bm (T)
N 0,4
(Bm Hm )
P

0,3
0,23
0,2

(Bm Hm )mx

0,1
M
-240 -200 -160

-120

(Bm Hm ) (kJ/m 3)

-144
-80

-40

s
Hm

1
m

Fig.1a
0.01
4 . 10

At ( B.H ) m ax : P ( Bm
tan

0.23
144 10 3

1
500 4 10

0.23 Wb/m 2 , H m

m
, m
9549.3

Bm , H m

Fig.1b
9549.3
Bm , Bm
m

20 40
H m (kAt/m)

m
Hm
9549.3

144 10 3 At/m )

1.53 cm

Q2 Consider the single-phase 50-Hz transformer and its approximate hysteresis characteristic shown
in Figs.2a-b. A=25 cm2, =40 cm, N1=259 turns, N2=18 turns.
a) Show that, for a sinusoidal flux density distribution in the core (B 1.6 T), the rms value of the
induced emf in the primary winding is:
E1 4.44 N1f max
where f and m ax are the frequency and maximum value of the mutual sinusoidal flux, respectively.
b) By neglecting the leakage flux and the primary winding resistance, determine the maximum
value of E1. Compute also the rms value of the magnetizing primary current I m . Draw, e1 (t) and i1(t)
waveforms on the common axes. What is the hysteresis loss?
c) Find the rms value of the open-circuited secondary voltage E2.

B (T)
1.6

i1
+
e1

v1 (t)

+
e2
-

N2

N1

0
-100

100

H (At/m)

-1.6

Fig.2a

Fig.2b

SOLUTION
a)

(t )

sin t , e1

N1

d
dt

N1 cos t

b) For Bm 1.6 T (linear region) :

Bm . A 1.6 25 10 4 0.004 Wb, E1
m
v1 (t )

e1 (t )

H m
N1

I 1m

230 cos t

100 0.4
259

2 E1 cos t ,

4.44 50 259 4 10

155 mA, I 1rms

H m ., H m

325.3 cos t V, N 1 I 1m
109.2 mA, i1 (t )

2 f , E1

fN 1

4.44 f N1

230 V
100 At/m

0.155 sin t A

The hysteresis loss is zero as the hysteresis loop area is zero.

b) L 10

g
g

0 Ag

H, N

40 turns,

,g

0 Ag

c) I = 10 A, N = 40 turns,

Ac

1.6 10 6 4 10
1.6 10 6 ,

2.5 10
10 3

0.25 T

0.5 T , Wf

N2/

0, L
7

10

c) e2
e2
E 2 rms

N2
4 10

d
dt
3

18
18

4 18 10
2

d (4 10 sin t )
dt
cos t
100

16 V

1.6 10 6 H

0.002 m

NI

40 10
2.5 10 4 Wb
6
1.6 10
1 2 1
LI
10 3 10 2 0.05
2
2

e1 ( t)
3

325.3 V
0.155 A
0

i1 ( t)
e1

i1

1/50
t (s)

Fig.2c
3 Consider the magnetic circuit of an electromechanical device shown in Fig.3a, where the traced
part corresponds to a permanent magnet material. During the horizontal movement of the moving part
in both directions, the length of the air gap is changed periodically between gm n and gm x .
a) Explain clearly how one can magnetize the permanent-magnet portion of the circuit in the figure,
by assuming that it is initially de-magnetized. Sketch the magnetic circuit and show the modifications
needed for magnetization. Sketch a hysteresis loop to illustrate the trajectory of magnetic operating
point during magnetization of the permanent magnet material. Sketch the waveform of the electrical
quantity which magnetizes the permanent magnet.

b) Assume now that Samarium-cobalt has been used in the magnetic circuit,(Fig.3b). Compute the
operating points which correspond to gm n and gmx and mark them on the Bm-Hm characteristic. Mark
the locus of the operating point during the periodic movement of the moving part also on the same
graph. Determine the optimum operating point. Discuss the success of the design. Neglect fringing.
( 0 4 10 7 H / m ).
c) If Alnico 5 were used in place of Samarium-cobalt in the above circuit, what would the locus of the
operating point be, (Fig.3f)? Roughly sketch it. Compare the usefulness of Samarium-cobalt and
Alnico-5 materials in this particular application considering that magnet length can also be changed.
Bm(T)
Bm(T)
1.0

i (t )
A
N

0.95

Somarium
cobalt

0.8

Alnico 5

0.4

g m x

-750

mn
Fig.3a

-50

Hm(kA/m)
Fig.3b

Hm(kA/m)
Fig.3c

SOLUTION
a) In order to magnetize the permanent-magnet portion, a positive current pulse with sufficiently high
magnitude is passed through the coil with N turn, short-circuiting the air-gap with a high permeability
(
) material. The shape of the current pulse which is not significant and the corresponding
hysteresis loop are shown in Figs.3d-e.

B
Bm
Br

i(t)
Im
-Hm
(- Im )

c
- Hc

t
Fig.3d

f
Hc

o
-B r

a
b

Hm
( Im ) H(i)

e
-Bm

Fig3e

b) Somarium cobalt:
The Bm-Hm characteristic can be approximated by a straight line, (Fig.3f).
Bm aH m b , H m 0 A/t, Bm b 0.95 T , Bm 0 T, 0 a( 730 ) 0.95
0.95
a
1.3 10 6 , Bm 1.3 10 6 H m 0.95
730 103
B g Ag Bm Am , Ag Am
Ni
H , 0 H g g H m m ,
Bg

Hg

Hm

Bm , Bm

m
H m , (load-line)
g

m 5 mm, gmn 4 10 3 m
5
Bm
4 10 7 H m
15.7 10
4

H m , 1.3 10 6 H m

0.95

15.7 10 7 H m

Hm

0.95
331 kA/m, Bm 0.52 T
28.7 10 7
5 mm, gmx 8 mm, Bm 7.85 10 7 H m

0.95
455 kA/m, Bm 0.358 T
20.85 10 7
The recoil line ( PQ ) coincides with the magnet characteristic (Fig.3f).

Hm

B m (T )

1.2

B m (T )

gm n

=12.7 mm

1.2

Alnico 5

1.0

0.8

0.95

0.8 (B m H m- H m )

gm n
Q

0.52

g m x

Alnico 5

0.6

( EP) mx

0.4

0.4

0.358

P
Somarium
cobalt

0.2

-730 -600

-400

-200

m =5 mm
gm n
g m x

-50 0
H m (k A t/m )

Po

-50

0
H m (k A t/m )

Fig.3f

Fig.3g

c) Operation takes place around the optimum operating point M which corresponds to maximum
magnet energy product (EP)mx. In view of this, the design is successful. Smaller B is more
desirable. B 0.52 0.358 0.162 T, (Fig.5f).
d ( H m Bm )
2
( Bm H m ) curve: H m Bm 1.3 10 6 H m 0.95 H m ,
2.6 10 6 H m 0.95 0
dH m

0.95
2.6 10 6
d) For Alnico 5: 4
Hm

365.4 kA/m , Bm
g

8 mm and m

0.475 T , ( H m Bm ) opt

173.6 kJ/m3 , M(0.475; 365.4)

5 mm, operating point P is around (0.05 T, -50 kAt/m),

(Fig.3g). The recoil line ( PQ ) does not coincide with the magnet characteristic. Inspection of the
( BH ) m H m curve indicates that the optimum operating point is around Bm 1 T . For optimum
operation, the slop of the load-line (
0 m g ) should be increased considerably, (Fig.3f).
50 kA/m, B 1 T .
Take g 8 mm , H m
The length of the magnet for optimum operation is
m

Bm g
Hm
0

1
50 10

8 10 3
4 10 7

12.7 cm . More Alnico 5 should be used.

Q4 A choke (inductor) composed of a single loop magnetic core and a winding with N turns is
connected in series with a dc network to smooth out the current waveform. The average core length is
and the core cross sectional area is A. The coil is excited by a dc current I. The flux density in the

magnetic core should be less than or equal to 0.5 T over the entire operating range in order to guaranty
the linearity of the magnetic circuit. The B-H characteristic is given in Fig.4.
a) Show that the self-inductance of the coil operating on the linear part of the B-H characteristic ( OP )
is given by L N 2 , where
is the core reluctance. Neglect the leakage flux.
b) An air gap is introduced into the core in order to obtain a self inductance L=1mH. What should the
air-gap length be?
c) Compute the flux density created in the magnetic circuit at the rated dc current of I=10A, and test
whether it exceeds the maximum safe value of 0.5 T or not. Find the stored magnetic energy.
SOLUTION

B (T)
a) For (OP) region, B
tan
constant,

0.5 T, B
H
0, (Fig.1.14)

N 2i

,L

d
dI

N 2i

N
Ni

b) L 10

H, N

g
g

N2

0 Ag

0, L

4 10

N /
7

0.25 T

0.5 T ,W f

10

H (At /m)

Fig.4
1.6 10 H 1
6

0.002 m

NI

40 10
1.6 106

1 2
LI
2

1
10
2

1.6 10 6 ,

2.5 10
10 3

Ac

1.6 10 6

c) I = 10 A, N = 40 turns,

d
di

,L

40 turns,

,g

0 Ag

0.5

2.5 10

10 2

Wb

0.05 J

Q5 The magnetic circuit given in Fig.5a has two windings and two air gaps. The core can be assumed
to be of infinite permeability. The equivalent magnetic circuit is shown in Fig.5b, (neglect fringing).
a) Assuming that the coil 1 to be carrying a current 1 and the current in coil 2 to be zero. Calculate;
(i) the magnetic flux density in each of the air gaps, (ii) the flux linkage of winding 1 and, (iii) the flux
linkage of winding 2.
b) Repeat part (a), assuming zero current in winding 1 and a current 2 in winding 2.
c) Repeat part (a), assuming the current 1 in winding 1 and the current 2 in winding 2.
d) Find the self-inductance of windings 1 and 2 and the mutual inductance between the windings.
SOLUTION
a)
i)

g1
,
0 A1
1

b)
i)

0,
0,

g2
,
0 A2

N1 I1 ,

, ii) 1'

N1

N 1(

), iii) 2'

N2

2
2

1
2
2

N2I2
2
2

, ii) 1''

N1

N1

, iii) ''
2

N2

N2

2
2

I1
1 = N1 I1

N2

g1

+
N
2 = 2 I2

I2
Fig.5a
1

Fig.5b
2

2
2

2
2

1 1

g2

N1

c)

) (

As the circuit is linear, superposition of cases (a) and (b):

N1

d)

N (
1

L11
L22

'
1

I1
2

'
1

N1
I1
N2
I
2

''
1

2
2

N2 (

'

''
2

I1
2
2

N2

N1 (

, L12

N1
I1
2

I1

N2
I1

1
2

N 12

N1 N 2

, L21

'
1

N1
I
2

N1 N 2

, L12

L21

Q6 The magnetic circuit shown in Fig.6a is composed of a permanent magnet with length m and
cross sectional area Am , an air gap with length g and a high permeability ferromagnetic part. The
movable part in the magnetic circuit can only move in vertical direction. The B-H characteristics of
two alternative permanent magnet materials, I and II, are as given in Fig.3b. Am=Ag=10 cm2 and
0=4 10-7 H/m.
a) Calculate the length and volume of the permanent magnet section for both materials by assuming
that 0.5 T is produced in the air gap for g 2 mm
b) Which material is to be chosen in view of the cost if the permanent magnet material I is five times
more expensive than II on volumetric basis?
c) For both materials and for the magnet lengths calculated in part (a), find the variation of the air-gap
flux density as the gap length g is periodically varied between 2 and 5 mm? Which material is more
suitable if the air-gap flux density has to be 0.5 T when the air gap length is reduced from 5 mm to 2
mm, i.e. if a permanent demagnetization is not desired? (Neglect fringing).
SOLUTION
a) m H m

cHc

gHg

0,

A m Bm

A g Bg ,

Am

Ag ,

Bm

Bg

Bm(T)
0.95
0.80
0.60
0.50
0.40
0.20

II

-750 -600 -400 -200

0 H (kAt/m)
m

Bm

Hm

Hg

Hg

Fig.6a
Bm

Fig.6b
,

mHm

Bm

g Bm
.
m 0

0 , Hm

2 10 m , m

Magnet I : Bm

? , Bg
x
750

0.5 T ,

0 .5 T ,

Bm

g Bm
0 Hm

and m

0.95 0.5
, x
0.95

Hm

10 7 H / m .

0.45
750
0.95

355.26 kA.t / m

2 10 3 0.5
mI
0.00224 mm 2.24 10 3 m
7
3
4 10
355 .26 10
vol I A m mI 10 3 2.24 10 3 2.24 10 6 m 3
Magnet II : Bm 0.5 T, H m
200 kA.t/m
2 10 3 0.5
3.98 10 3 m , vol II 3.98 10 3 10 3 3.98 10
7
3
4 10
200 10
b) vol I vol II , cos t I 5 vol I , cos t II volII , 5 2.24 10 6 3.98 10 6
Cost I Cost II ; the permanent magnet II should be selected.
m II

c) Magnet I : mI
Bm

m
g

2.24 10 3 m , A m

Hm , g

2 mm, Bm

10 3 m 2 , 2 mm

2.24
4
2

10 7 H m

m3

5 mm

1.407 10 6 H m

2.24
4 10 7 H m
5.63 10 7 H m
5
Equation of the permanent magnet (I) characteristic:
g

5 mm, Bm

Bm

0.95

0.95
Hm
750 10 3

0.95 1.267 10 6 H m

Operating points for magnet I: m I

1.407 10 6 H m

0.95

2.24 10 3 m , g

0.95
Hm , Hm
750 103

2 mm :

355 .3 10 3 kAt/m, Bm

0. 5 T

5 mm :

0.95
Hm , Hm
519.22 10 3 kA.t/m, Bm 0.292 T
2
750 10
When the air-gap length is varied between 2 and 5 mm, the operating point traces MN line which to
the re-coil line, (Fig.6a).
When gI is reduced to 2 mm, B m 0.5 T is preserved
5.63 10 7 H m

0.95

8
Operating points for magnet II:
Hm
200 kAt/m , mI 3.98 mm
3.98
g 2 mm : Bm
4 10 7 200 103 0.5 T
2
3.98
g 5 mm : B m
4 10 7 200 103 0.2 T
5
0.2
At point Q; H m
200
80 kAt/m
0.5
For permanent magnet II, B=0.5 T is achieved initially at g

2 mm (point R). For g

5 mm , P is the

operating point. If g is reduced to 2 mm, the operating point becomes Q and B is reduced to 0.2 T.
PQ is the re-coil line, (Fig.6d)
Conclusion: Magnet I is suitable to produce 0.5 T for 2 mm

= 5 mm

Bm(T)
_

0.5
0.292

0.6
0.5

g = 5 mm P

_ 0.2

Q
_

5 mm without demagnetization

Bm (T)
0.95

g= 2 mm

g = 2 m m

-750

-519.2 -355.3
Fig.6c

0 H (kA.t/m)
m

-200

-100

-80

0 H m (kA.t/m)

Fig.6d