Tutorial 1

T01. Vector Magnetic Circuit Theory and Its Preliminary Applications

Description of the Tutorial Proposal

Objectives and motivation: The primary objective of this tutorial is to introduce and explore the vector magnetic circuit theory, an advancement over traditional magnetic circuit theory. This tutorial aims to provide an in-depth understanding of how vector magnetic circuits can effectively address the limitations of conventional models in analysing the electromagnetic phenomena such as eddy currents and hysteresis. The motivation is to equip researchers and engineers with a comprehensive understanding of the vector magnetic circuit theory, and its applications in electromagnetic devices.

Novelty, highlighting the technical innovations presented in this tutorial: This tutorial will present several technical innovations, including: 

(1) The introduction of magductance and hysteretance as new components in magnetic circuits. 

(2) The ability of vector magnetic circuit theory to simultaneously represent both the magnitude and phase characteristics of magnetic flux. 

(3) The development of a unified theory for analysing and quantifying the effects of electromagnetic phenomena, e.g., eddy current reaction in design and control in electromagnetic devices.

Tutorial content, indicating the topics that the tutorial will cover in detail: The tutorial will cover the following key topics: 

(1) Overview of traditional magnetic circuit models and their limitations in modern applications.

(2) Foundations of vector magnetic circuit theory: A detailed explanation of the new components (reluctance, magductance and hystertance), including their physical meanings and mathematical modeling.

(3) Design of magnetic components with magnetic circuit theory: Techniques for constructing magnetic components to change characteristics of electromagnetic devices.

(4) Application of vector magnetic circuit theory to the design and analysis of electromagnetic devices such as transformers and electric machines.

(5) Future directions: discussion on the potential study for further advancements in vector magnetic circuit theory and its application.

Abstract

Magnetic circuit theory, as an essential analytical tool for electromagnetic devices, has undergone over a century and a half of development since the discovery of magnetic reluctance by Joule in 1840. It has provided critical theoretical support for the design and analysis of electromagnetic devices such as transformers and motors, making significant contributions to the advancement of electrical engineering. However, the traditional magnetic circuit theories mainly rely on a single reluctance component /parameter to construct and represent the magnetic circuit characteristics, making it difficult to fully encompass the multidimensional properties and dynamic behaviours of modern complex electromagnetic devices. For example, traditional magnetic circuit theory lacks the ability to precisely describe complex phenomena such as eddy currents, hysteresis effects, and the phase shifts between magnetic circuit variables, thus restricting its further development and application. 

For addressing these limitations of traditional magnetic circuit theory, a new vector magnetic circuit theory will be discussed in this tutorial. This innovative theory not only adds new degrees of freedom to the magnetic circuit design of electromagnetic devices but also allows for the simultaneous representation of both the amplitude and phase characteristics of magnetic flux. It enables quantitative descriptions of electromagnetic phenomena such as eddy currents and hysteresis. The physical concepts, definition and mathematical modelling of electromagnetic components in vector magnetic circuit will be introduced. Besides, design, analysis and control of electromagnetic devices, e.g., transformers and electric machines with vector magnetic circuit will be discussed in this tutorial.

Biography

Speaker 1: Prof. Ming Cheng received the B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from Southeast University, Nanjing, China, in 1982 and 1987, respectively, and the Ph.D. degree from the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, in 2001, all in electrical engineering. Since 1987, he has been with Southeast University, Nanjing, where he is currently a Chief Professor with the School of Electrical Engineering and the Director of the Research Center for Wind Power Generation. His teaching and research inter- ests include electrical machines, motor drives for electric vehicles, renewable energy generation, and servo motor & control. He is the author or co-author of more than 500 technical papers and 7 books, and is the holder of 150 patents in his areas of interest. Prof. Cheng is a Fellow of the Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE) and a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). He has served as the Chair and an Organizing Committee Member for many international conferences. He is a Distinguished Lecturer of the IEEE Industry Application Society for 2015/2016.

Speaker 2: Zheng Wang received the B.Eng. and the M.Eng. degrees from Southeast University, Nanjing, China, in 2000 and 2003, respectively, and the Ph.D. degree from the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, in 2008, all in electrical engineering. From 2008 to 2009, he was a Postdoctoral Fellow in Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada. He is currently a full Professor in the School of Electrical Engineering, Southeast University, China. His research interests include electric drives, power electronics, and distributed generation. In these fields, he has authored over 120 internationally refereed papers, 1 English book by IEEE-Wiley Press, and 2 English book chapters. Prof. Wang received IEEE PES Chapter Outstanding Engineer Award, First-class Science and Technology Award of Jiangsu Province in China, and Outstanding Young Scholar Award of Jiangsu Natural Science Foundation of China. He is an IET Fellow and an associate editor of IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications and IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics.