Adaptive finite element method for shape modification in optimization of electric machines

A method for the modification of finite element meshes based on adaptive meshing for optimization of electric machines is proposed. In the optimization of the machine, the proposed method generates the mesh for the new shape from the previous mesh with minor modification. The locations of the nodes for the new shape are decided by solving a Laplacian equation whose unknowns are the displacements of the nodes. The advantages are illustrated by application to the shape optimization of an IPM motor. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 168(1): 21–28, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20773