A Generalized Approach to Planar Induction Heating Magnetics

This thesis describes an efficient numerical simulation technique of magnetoquasistatic electromagnetic fields for planar induction heating applications. The technique is based on a volume-element discretization, integral formulation of Maxwell’s equations, and uses the multilayer Green’s function to avoid volumetric meshing of the heated material. The technique demonstrates two orders of magnitude of computational advantage compared to existing FEM techniques. Single-objective and multiobjective optimization of a domestic induction heating coil are performed using the new technique, using more advanced algorithms than those previously used due to the increase in speed. Both optimization algorithms produced novel, three-dimensional induction coil designs. Thesis Supervisor: John G. Kassakian Title: Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science