Selecting the Physics Models

In this simulation, you study the steady state distribution of the magnetic flux density throughout the motor components. This simulation requires two physics continua, one for the air region and one for the motor components.

  1. Right-click Continua, and select New Physics Continuum.
  2. Rename the Continua > Physics 1 node to Air.
  3. For the physics continuum, Air, select the following models:
    Group box Physics Model
    Enabled Models Three-Dimensional
    Time Steady
    Material Gas
    Optional Models Electromagnetism
    Enabled Models Gradients (selected automatically)
    Electromagnetism Finite Element Magnetic Vector Potential

    As you are interested in the magnetic flux of the axial flux motor, and not in the flow solution, you do not require a flow model. Not solving the equations of flow reduces the overall run time of the simulation.

You model the magnet, the magnet plate, and the stator plate using the same physics continuum. The Multi-Part Solid model allows you to specify different material properties for each solid region. The Finite Element Magnetic Vector Potential model accounts for the magnetic flux density in the motor components, whereas the Permanent Magnet model allows you to specify remanence magnetic flux density for the magnet:
  1. Create a physics continuum named Motor Components and select the following models:
    Group box Physics Model
    Space Three-Dimensional
    Time Steady
    Material Multi-Component Solid
    Multi-Component Solid Multi-Part Solid
    Optional Models Electromagnetism
    Enabled Models Gradients (selected automatically)
    Electromagnetism Finite Element Magnetic Vector Potential
    Optional Models Permanent Magnet
    Permanent Magnet Specification Linear Permanent Magnet General
  2. Save the simulation.