Application of the surface-current method to the analysis of saturated electromagnetic devices

This paper deals with the application of the surface-current method to the analysis of electromagnetic devices. The basics of the method are outlined and new developments involving the implementation of automated procedures for the definition of the geometry and sources, the contour subdivision according to suitable error indexes and the upgrading of the magnetic permeability to analyse saturated devices are described. As examples of application, the method is applied to the analysis of a single-phase step motor and a linear brushless DC motor; the results are discussed and compared with the outputs of corresponding finite-element method analyses.