ToroidalCoreAirgap

Educational example: iron core with airgap

Diagram

Information

This information is part of the Modelica Standard Library maintained by the Modelica Association.

Educational example of a magnetic circuit containing a toroidal iron core with circular cross section and an airgap:

A current ramp is applied in positive electric direction through the exciting coil, causing a rising magnetomotive force (mmf) in positive magnetic direction of the electromagnetic converter. The mmf in turn causes a magnetic flux through the circuit in the direction indicated by the flux sensor. From that magnetic flux, flux density can be calculated in every element of the magnetic circuit. Flux density is used to derive magnetic field strength. Magnetic field strength times length of the flux line gives magnetic potential difference of each element. The sum of all magnetic potential differences is covered by the mmf of the exciting coil.

Using the values shown in section Parameters, the results can be validated easily by analytic calculations:

element cross section length rel. permeability B H mmf
core d2*pi/4r*alpha μr flux / cross sectionB/(μr0)H*length
airgap d2*pi/4delta=r*(2*pi-alpha)1flux / cross sectionB/(μ0)H*delta
total Σ mmf = N*I

Note that since no leakage is present, the magnetic flux is the same in every element - they are connected in series. For calculation of the length of flux lines, a flux line in the middle of the toroid is used.

Additionally, a measuring coil is placed in the airgap. Due to Faraday's law, the time derivative of flux causes an induced voltage both in the exciting coil (in positive direction) and in the measuring coil (in negative direction). Since current is given as a linear-time dependent ramp, the induced voltages during that ramp are constant and otherwise zero. Note that usage of nonlinear magnetic material would change that result due the nonlinear relationship between magnetic field strength and flux density.

Note the proper usage of electric and magnetic grounds to define zero potential.

Parameters (7)

r

Value: 0.05

Type: Length (m)

Description: Middle radius of iron core

d

Value: 0.01

Type: Length (m)

Description: Diameter of cylindrical cross section

mu_r

Value: 1000

Type: RelativePermeability

Description: Relative permeability of core

delta

Value: 0.001

Type: Length (m)

Description: Length of airgap

alpha

Value: (1 - delta / (2 * pi * r)) * 2 * pi

Type: Angle (rad)

Description: Section angle of toroidal core

N

Value: 500

Type: Integer

Description: Number of exciting coil turns

I

Value: 1.5

Type: Current (A)

Description: Maximum exciting current

Components (10)

excitingCoil

Type: ElectroMagneticConverter

core

Type: Toroid

airGap

Type: Toroid

measuringCoil

Type: ElectroMagneticConverter

magneticGround

Type: Ground

electricGround1

Type: Ground

rampCurrent

Type: RampCurrent

magFluxSensor

Type: MagneticFluxSensor

electricGround2

Type: Ground

voltageSensor

Type: VoltageSensor