Using SPICE with FEMM (Finite Element Method Magnetics)

AI Thread Summary
FEMM, a freeware program for simulating 2D electromagnetic geometries, is being used to model a custom generator's output voltage, current, and power. The user seeks to integrate SPICE to simulate circuit components, focusing on the load voltage and current from a coil with non-sinusoidal output. The challenge lies in the changing source inductance with generator loading, prompting the need for SPICE integration. Other users have successfully combined LTspice with FEMM for similar applications, referencing specific examples. The discussion highlights the potential for further exploration and collaboration on this topic.
Jdo300
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Hello All,

Some of you may have heard of the freeware FEA program called FEMM written by David Meeker. It is used to simulate 2D electromagnetic geometries and also has an integrated LUA scripting host which allows script files to be written to automate the process.

I'm currently using FEMM to model and calculate the output voltage, current, and power of a custom generator model but I'm wondering if it is possible to use SPICE to simulate the circuit components of my model.

Basically, I'm starting with a very simple setup with a spinning magnet and a coil. The goal is that I want to simulate the load voltage and current from this coil, taking into account it's reactance and presumably non-sinusoidal output waveform. Right now, I can calculate the inductance of the coil, the output current, and induced voltage straight from the simulator outputs, but I would like to somehow input these values into the SPICE simulator to determine the load voltage, current, and phase shift. I'm modeling the output circuit of the generator as a voltage source with a series resistance, and inductance to represent the generator, and a resistive load for the output load.

The tricky part is that the source inductance also changes with the loading of the generator (which is why I'm considering using spice somehow). Has anyone ever worked with a situation like this before?

Thanks,
Jason O
 
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Yes, we use LTspice + FEMM (LookUp Table). Modeling Back EMF From Solenoid Valve.Ustroystvo as a black box. Examples http://www.magneticdon.narod.ru/Batishchev.pdf and http://www.magneticdon.narod.ru/Article_Batishchev_Pavlenko.pdf
 
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kasandranas said:
Yes, we use LTspice + FEMM (LookUp Table). Modeling Back EMF From Solenoid Valve.Ustroystvo as a black box. Examples http://www.magneticdon.narod.ru/Batishchev.pdf and http://www.magneticdon.narod.ru/Article_Batishchev_Pavlenko.pdf

Welcome to the PF.

Are there any English language translations available of this work? It's probably of fairly limited usefulness in its current language/format.
 
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Planned to write an article in English in the near future.
 
Thanks kasandranas,

When you do, please let me know, I would be very interested to see how you approached the problem.

- Jason O
 

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