Flux Tutorial ES2D

CAD Package for Electromagnetic and Thermal Analysis using Finite Elements
Flux 2D
Application
Tutorial of electrostatics
Copyright July 2009
Flux is a registered trademark.
Flux software : Flux tutorials :
COPYRIGHT CEDRAT/INPG/CNRS/EDF COPYRIGHT CEDRAT
This tutorial was edited on 1 July 2009 Ref.: K205-10-EN-07/09
CEDRAT 15 Chemin de Malacher - Inovalle 38246 Meylan Cedex FRANCE Phone: +33 (0)4 76 90 50 45 Fax: +33 (0)4 56 38 08 30 Email: cedrat@cedrat.com Web: http://www.cedrat.com
Foreword
About the tutorial
The objective of this document is the discovery and mastery of various functionalities in the software through the example of a simple device. This tutorial contains the general steps and all the data needed to describe the measurement cell model. Before proceeding with this tutorial, the user must understand the functionalities of the Flux software. The user can gain this knowledge by initially completing the Generic tutorial. The Flux 2D Generic Tutorial of Geometry and Mesh explains in detail all actions to build the geometry and mesh of the study domain. The files corresponding to the different cases studied in this tutorial are available in the folder: \DocExamples\Examples2D\ElectrostaticApplication\ The files provided for this tutorial are: command files, come in handy to build the Flux projects Flux files already built project files The use of files is explained in the table below. the user can execute the recover the Flux file* command file GeoMeshPhys.py GEO_MESH_PHYS.FLU CASE1.FLU CASE2.FLU CASE3.FLU
Required knowledge
Path
Command files and Flux files
To describe the geometry the mesh the physics case 1 case 2 case 3
follow 2.1 2.2 2.3 3 4 5
* Flux files are ready to be meshed and then solved.
Flux10
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1. General information .................................................................................................................1
1.1. Overview .......................................................................................................................................3 1.1.1. Description of the studied device....................................................................................4 1.1.2. Studied cases .................................................................................................................6 Strategy to build the Flux project ..................................................................................................7 1.2.1. Main phases for geometry description............................................................................8 1.2.2. Main phases for mesh generation ................................................................................10 1.2.3. Main phases for physical description............................................................................11 Geometry description process ....................................................................................................15 2.1.1. Add symmetries to the domain .....................................................................................16 2.1.2. Create the geometric parameters.................................................................................17 2.1.3. Create points and lines of the lower electrode .............................................................19 2.1.4. Create points and lines of the lower half of the upper electrode ..................................20 2.1.5. Create points and lines of the lower half of the guard ring ...........................................21 2.1.6. Create lines of the glass spacers and of the axis.........................................................22 2.1.7. Create a geometric transformation ...............................................................................23 2.1.8. Propagate lines.............................................................................................................24 2.1.9. Add an infinite box ........................................................................................................25 2.1.10. Add lines to close the domain.......................................................................................26 2.1.11. Build faces ....................................................................................................................27 Mesh generation process............................................................................................................29 2.2.1. Modify the mesh points.................................................................................................30 2.2.2. Assign the mesh points to points..................................................................................30 2.2.3. Mesh lines and faces ....................................................................................................31 Physical description process.......................................................................................................33 2.3.1. Define the physical application .....................................................................................34 2.3.2. Define physical aspects of symmetries ........................................................................34 2.3.3. Create materials ...........................................................................................................35 2.3.4. Create face regions ......................................................................................................35 2.3.5. Assign face regions to faces.........................................................................................36 2.3.6. Create line regions........................................................................................................37 2.3.7. Assign line regions to lines ...........................................................................................38 Case 1: solving process ..............................................................................................................41 3.1.1. Start the solver..............................................................................................................42 3.1.2. Rename the project ......................................................................................................44 3.1.3. Solve the project ...........................................................................................................45 3.1.4. Exit the solver ...............................................................................................................46 Case 1: results post-processing..................................................................................................47 3.2.1. Start the postprocessor.................................................................................................48 3.2.2. About the PostPro_2D window.....................................................................................50 3.2.3. Display the equi-potential lines.....................................................................................52 3.2.4. Display a color-shaded plot of the electric field ............................................................57 3.2.5. Display the boundary vectors of the electric field .........................................................60 3.2.6. Compute the electric energy.........................................................................................63 3.2.7. Compute the potential at a point...................................................................................65 3.2.8. Display a curve of the electric field variation along a path ...........................................67 3.2.9. Display curves of normal and tangential components of the electric field....................73 3.2.10. Save the results in a text file.........................................................................................77 3.2.11. Exit the postprocessor ..................................................................................................78
1.2.
2. Construction of the Flux project .............................................................................................13

2.1.
2.2.
2.3.
3. Case 1: static study ...............................................................................................................39

3.1.
3.2.
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE A
Table of Contents
Flux10
4. Case 2: multi-parametric computation................................................................................... 79

4.1. Case 2: solving process ..............................................................................................................81 4.1.1. Start the solver..............................................................................................................82 4.1.2. Rename the project.......................................................................................................83 4.1.3. Activate the parameterization context...........................................................................84 4.1.4. Define the parameters ..................................................................................................85 4.1.5. Define the computation method....................................................................................89 4.1.6. Close the parameterization context ..............................................................................90 4.1.7. Solve the project ...........................................................................................................92 4.1.8. Exit the solver ...............................................................................................................94 Case 2: results post-processing..................................................................................................95 4.2.1. Start the postprocessor.................................................................................................96 4.2.2. Display a color-shaded plot of the electric field ............................................................97 4.2.3. Display a color-shaded plot of the electric field in animation mode........................... 100 4.2.4. Compute the electric field at a point for the value 120 of the relative permittivity ..... 102 4.2.5. Compute the electric field at a point for the value 10 of the relative permittivity ....... 104 4.2.6. Display a curve of energy as function of the relative permittivity............................... 106 4.2.7. Display a curve of potential at a point as function of the relative permittivity ............ 108 4.2.8. Display curves of potential along the line region of the guard ring as function of the relative permittivity ............................................................................................... 110 4.2.9. Display a curve of electric field at a point as function of the curvature radius........... 113 4.2.10. Display a curve of electric field along a path across the upper glass spacer as function of the curvature radius ................................................................................. 115 4.2.11. Display a curve of electric field along the line region of upper electrode as function of the curvature radius ................................................................................. 119 4.2.12. Exit the postprocessor ............................................................................................... 122 Case 3: modifying physical properties ..................................................................................... 124 5.1.1. Start the preprocessor ............................................................................................... 125 5.1.2. Rename the project.................................................................................................... 126 5.1.3. Create a material ....................................................................................................... 127 5.1.4. Modify the LIQUID face region .................................................................................. 129 5.1.5. Save the project and exit the preprocessor ............................................................... 130 Case 3: solving process ........................................................................................................... 131 5.2.1. Start the solver........................................................................................................... 132 5.2.2. Solve the project ........................................................................................................ 133 5.2.3. Exit the solver ............................................................................................................ 133 Case 3: results post-processing............................................................................................... 135 5.3.1. Start the postprocessor.............................................................................................. 136 5.3.2. Display the equi-potential lines .................................................................................. 137 5.3.3. Compute the electric energy...................................................................................... 139 5.3.4. Exit the postprocessor ............................................................................................... 141
4.2.
5. Case 3: static study, material with the low relative permittivity............................................ 123
5.1.
5.2.
5.3.
PAGE B
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
General information
1.
General information
This chapter contains the presentation of the studied device and the Flux software. This chapter contains the following topics: Topic Overview Strategy to build the Flux project See Page 3 7
Introduction
Contents
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 1
General information
Flux10
PAGE 2
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
General information
1.1.
Overview
Introduction
This section presents the studied device (a cylindrical cell for the measurement of resistivity and permittivity of liquids) and the strategy of the device description in Flux. This section contains the following topics: Topic Description of the studied device Studied cases See Page 4 6
Contents
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 3
General information
Flux10
1.1.1. Description of the studied device
Studied device
The device to be analyzed is a cylindrical cell for the measurement of resistivity and permittivity of liquids. The studied device consists of: two circular upper and lower electrodes a guard ring two glass spacers - one is situated between the upper electrode and the guard ring - another is situated between the guard ring and the lower electrode The physical model and the axial section of the studied device are presented in the figures below.
Electrode Upper glass spacer Guard ring Lower glass spacer
Liquid Upper glass spacer Guard ring Electrode made of SS 304L Lower glass spacer
Electrode made of SS 304L
Operating principle
The analyzed cell is used to measure the resistivity and permittivity of liquids. The testing liquid is placed between two plate electrodes to form a capacitor. The measured capacitance is then used to calculate permittivity. When simply measuring the dielectric material between two electrodes, stray capacitance or edge capacitance is formed on the edges of the electrodes and consequently the measured capacitance is larger than the capacitance of the dielectric material. A solution to the measurement error caused by edge capacitance is to use the guard electrode. The guard electrode absorbs the electric field at the edge and the capacitance that is measured between the electrodes is only composed of the current that flows through the dielectric material.
Continued on next page
PAGE 4
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
General information
Geometry
The device has an axial symmetry around its main axis. The dimensions of the device are presented in the figures below.
14 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 4
(0,0)
19
Materials
The measurement cell is composed of the following materials: the upper and lower electrodes are made of SS 304L, an austenitic Chromium-Nickel stainless steel the upper and lower spacers are made of glass, an insulator characterized by the constant relative permittivity The testing liquids are: pure water mineral oil, a material with a high dielectric constant The electric field is due to the dc voltage applied to electrodes as follows: V = -250 V on the lower electrode V = 250 V on the upper electrode
Sources
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 5
General information
Flux10
1.1.2. Studied cases
Studied cases
Three cases are carried out in a Electro Static application: case 1: static study, a testing liquid is pure water case 2: multi-parametric computation case 3: static study, a testing liquid is mineral oil
Case 1
The first case is a static study.
This study is a very easy problem of electrostatics of axisymmetric type. The testing liquid is pure water.
Case 2
The second case is a multi-parametric computation.
In this study two parameters physical and geometric are used. The physical parameter is the relative permittivity of the testing liquid (pure water) varying between 10 and 120. The geometric parameter is the curvature radius of the rounded corners of the electrodes varying between 0.6 mm and 0.8 mm. The last parameter determines the height of the upper glass spacer. The height of the upper spacer decreases when the value of the curvature radius increases.
Case 3
The third case is a static study.
This study differs from case 1 only by the nature of the testing material. The testing liquid is mineral oil.
PAGE 6
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
General information
1.2.
Strategy to build the Flux project
Introduction
This section presents outlines of the geometry building process, mesh generating process and physical properties description process of the measurement cell. This section contains the following topics: Topic Main phases for geometry description Main phases for mesh generation Main phases for physical description See Page 8 10 11
Contents
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 7
General information
Flux10
1.2.1. Main phases for geometry description
Outline
The device is modeled in the axisymmetric study domain, i.e. the device is described in a XY-plane cross-section and has symmetry with respect to the Y-axis. The lower electrode is modeled by physical line region, it is not necessary to build its geometry. An outline of the geometry building process of the measurement cell is presented in the table below. Stage 1 2 Creation of a symmetry Creation of geometric parameters Description
Versus Y-axis RADIUS (curvature radius of the corners of the upper electrode and guard ring): 0.6 mm RINF_INT (inner radius of the infinite box): 30 mm RINF_EXT (outer radius of the infinite box): 40 mm
Creation of points and lines
Symmetry line
Point 7
Point 8
Creation of a transformation
Creation of points and lines by propagation
PAGE 8
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
General information
Outline continued
Creation of an infinite box
Line 27
Creation of points and lines to close the domain

Line 26
Line 28
Building faces
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 9
General information
Flux10
1.2.2. Main phases for mesh generation
Outline
An outline of the mesh generating process of the measurement cell is presented in the table below. Stage 1 Modification of 3 predefined mesh points Description SMALL: RADIUS/3 [mm] MEDIUM: 0.5[mm] LARGE: (RINF_EXT-RINF_INT)/2 [mm]
LARGE
SMALL
Assignment of 3 mesh points to points
MEDIUM
LARGE
Assignment of the NO_MESH mesh generator
Meshing: meshing lines meshing faces
PAGE 10
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
General information
1.2.3. Main phases for physical description
Outline
An outline of the physical description process of the measurement cell is presented in the table below. Stage 1 2 Definition of the application Definition of physical aspects of the symmetry Creation of 2 materials Description Electro Static 2D Normal magnetic field, tangent electric field, adiabatic conditions WATER isotropic material with a linear dielectric characteristic GLASS isotropic material with a linear dielectric characteristic
AIR
Creation and assignment of face regions
GLASS HOLE LIQUID INFINITE
UPELEC
RING
Creation and assignment of line regions

LOWELEC
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 11
General information
Flux10
PAGE 12
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Construction of the Flux project
2.

This chapter contains the geometry description, mesh generation and physical description of the measurement cell presented in a manner less detailed then the chapters relating to the studied cases. The user must have good understanding of all functionalities of the Flux preprocessor. The Flux module is Preflux. The Flux project is GEO_MESH_PHYS.FLU. The file GEO_MESH_PHYS.FLU is available to the user. This file contains the Flux project: the geometry description of the measurement cell the mesh of the computation domain the initial physical description of the measurement cell This chapter contains the following topics: Topic Geometry description process Mesh generation process Physical description See Page 15 29 33
Introduction
Flux module
Project name
Flux project file
Contents
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 13
Flux10
PAGE 14
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
2.1.
Geometry description process
Introduction
This section presents the general steps of the geometry construction and the data required to describe the measurement cell geometry. The cell object is presented in the figure below.
Contents
This section contains the following topics: Topic Add symmetries to the domain Create the geometric parameters Create points and lines of the lower electrode Create points and lines of the lower half of the upper electrode Create points and lines of the lower half of the guard ring Create lines of the glass spacers and of the axis Create a geometric transformation Propagate lines Add an infinite box Add lines to close the domain Build faces See Page 16 17 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 15
Flux10
2.1.1. Add symmetries to the domain
Goal
The axial symmetry of the studied device (symmetry with respect to the Yaxis) is added.
Y
Data
The characteristics of the symmetry are presented in the tables below.

Symmetry versus Y-axis Name (automatic) SymmetryYaxis_1
*
Geometrical aspects Type X offset position Versus Y-axis 0
Physical aspects -
Physical aspects of the symmetries are defined in the section concerning physical description.
PAGE 16
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
2.1.2. Create the geometric parameters
Goal
Three geometric parameters are required to describe the device geometry. The parameter RADIUS is created to modify the curvature radius of the corners of the upper electrode and guard ring. The RINF_EXT and RINF_INT parameters are used to define the infinite box. The RADIUS, RINF_EXT and RINF_INT parameters are presented in the figures below.
14 4
Outline
RADIUS
RADIUS
(0,0)
19
RINF_EXT
(0 ;0)
RINF_INT

ELECTROSTATICS PAGE 17
Flux10
Data
The characteristics of the geometric parameters are presented in the table below. Geometric parameters Name RADIUS RINF_INT RINF_EXT Comment Curvature radius Inner radius of the INFINITE region Outer radius of the INFINITE region Expression 0.6 30 40
PAGE 18
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
2.1.3. Create points and lines of the lower electrode
Goal
3 points of the fixed part are added and then connected by 2 straight segments to define the lower electrode. The order to create the lines is presented in the figure below.
Line 1 Line 2
Outline
Data (1)
The characteristics of the points are presented in the tables below.

Points defined by its parametric coordinates No 1 2 3 Coordinate system XY1 Coordinates X 0 19 20 Y -4 -4 -4
Data (2)
The characteristics of the lines are presented in the table below.

Segment defined by starting and ending points No 1 2 Starting point 1 2 Ending point 2 3
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 19
Flux10
2.1.4. Create points and lines of the lower half of the upper electrode
Four points are added to build the lower half of the upper electrode. Then two straight segments and one arc are added to connect the points. The order to create the lines is presented in the figure below.
Goal
Outline
Line 4 Line 5 Line 3
Data (1)

Points defined by its parametric coordinates No 4 5 6 7 Coordinate system Coordinates X 0 14-RADIUS 14 14 Y 4 4 4+RADIUS 5
XY1
Data (2)
The characteristics of the straight lines are presented in the table below.
Segment defined by starting and ending points No 3 4 Starting point 4 6 Ending point 5 7
Data (3)
The characteristics of the arc are presented in the table below.

Arc defined by its radius, starting and ending points No 5 Coordinate system XY1 Radius Starting point Ending point
RADIUS
PAGE 20
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
2.1.5. Create points and lines of the lower half of the guard ring
Five points are added to build the lower half of the guard ring. Then three straight segments and one arc are added to connect the points. The order to create the lines is presented in the figure below.
Line 6 Line 9 Line 7 Line 8
Goal
Outline
Data (1)

Points defined by its parametric coordinates No 8 9 10 11 12 Coordinate system Coordinates X 16 16 16+RADIUS 19 20 Y 5 4+RADIUS 4 4 4
XY1
Data (2)
The characteristics of the straight lines are presented in the table below.
Segment defined by starting and ending points No 6 7 8 Starting point 8 10 11 Ending point 9 11 12
Data (3)
The characteristics of the arc are presented in the table below.

Arc defined by its radius, starting and ending points No 9 Coordinate system XY1 Radius Starting point Ending point
RADIUS
10
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 21
Flux10
2.1.6. Create lines of the glass spacers and of the axis
Goal
Four straight segments are added: a line to delimit downward the glass spacer (horizontal line 10 in figure below), two lines to define the lower glass spacer (vertical lines 11 and 12), a vertical line on the symmetry axis of the cell, between the two electrodes (line 13 in figure below). The order to create the straight lines is presented in the figure below.
Line 10
Outline
Line 13
Line 11
Line 12
Data
The characteristics of the straight segments are presented in the table below.
Segment defined by starting and ending points No 10 11 12 13 Starting point 6 2 3 1 Ending point 9 11 12 4
PAGE 22
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
2.1.7. Create a geometric transformation
Goal
An affine transformation with respect to a line defined by 2 points is required to build the probe geometry. The points, defining the symmetry line of the transformation, are shown in the figure below.
Symmetry line Point 7 Point 8
Outline
Data
The characteristics of the transformation are presented in the table below.

Affine transformation with respect to a line defined by 2 points Name SYM Comment Symmetry transformation 1st point 7 2nd point 8 Scaling factor -1
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 23
Flux10
2.1.8. Propagate lines

Goal
The lines of the upper electrode, upper glass spacer and guard ring are duplicated using construction by propagation. The SYM transformation is applied once to propagate eight lines shown in the figure below.
Outline
Lines to propagate by the SYM transformation
Action
To propagate the lines from the

Line created with command Propagate lines Number Reference line see the above figure Transformation SYM Number of times 1
Result
The created lines are displayed in the graphic zone.
PAGE 24
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
2.1.9. Add an infinite box
Goal
An infinite box will be added to close the study domain. The main characteristics of the infinite box are shown in the following table.
Infinite box of Disc type Name (automatic) InfiniteBoxDisc Internal radius RINF_INT External radius RINF_EXT
Data
Result
The infinite box is displayed in the graphic zone:
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 25
Flux10
2.1.10.
Add lines to close the domain
Goal
Three lines are added to close the air region and the guard ring: the first two lines close the computation domain on the symmetry Y-axis the third line closes the surface of the guard ring The order to create the lines is presented in the figure below.
Outline
Line 27
Line 28
Line 26
Data
The characteristics of the lines are presented in the table below.

Segment defined by starting and ending points No Starting point 20 13 12 Ending point 1 22 19
PAGE 26
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
2.1.11.
Build faces
Goal
The faces are automatically identified and built by Preflux using the algorithm of automatic construction. The faces are displayed in the graphic zone as shown in the figure below.
Result
Checking
Make sure that the number of faces that have just been created by Preflux is correct. There are two possible ways to check the number of faces: the faces are listed in the data tree as shown in the figure below during the construction of faces, the following comments will be displayed in the History zone.
No line-line intersections Number of surfaces found : 1 Checking the unicity of auxiliary points Looking for identical points, minimum distance between 2 points is 0.894E-06 Checking the unicity of lines Creation of 6 FACES : 1 2 3 4 5 6 buildFaces executed
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 27
Flux10
PAGE 28
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
2.2.
Mesh generation process
Introduction
This section presents the general steps of mesh generation for the computation domain and the data required to describe the measurement cell mesh. The meshed measurement cell is presented in the figure below.
Contents
This section contains the following topics: Topic Modify the mesh points Assign the mesh points to points Mesh lines and faces See Page 30 30 31
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 29
Flux10
2.2.1. Modify the mesh points
Goal
Three predefined mesh points SMALL, MEDIUM and LARGE are modified. The modified characteristics of the mesh points are presented in the table below.
Mesh point Name SMALL MEDIUM LARGE Comment Small mesh size Medium mesh size Large mesh size Unit millimeter millimeter millimeter Value RADIUS/3 0.5 (RINF_EXT-RINF_INT)/2 Color Yellow Turquoise Red
Data
2.2.2. Assign the mesh points to points
Goal
The mesh points are assigned to the points as follows: first, the MEDIUM mesh point is assigned to all the points of the geometry. second, the SMALL mesh point is assigned to the 10 points of the zone of the upper glass spacer third, the LARGE mesh point is assigned to the 4 points situated on the symmetry Y-axis The assignment of the mesh points to points is presented in the figure below.
LARGE
Outline
SMALL
MEDIUM
LARGE
PAGE 30
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
2.2.3. Mesh lines and faces
Goal
The computation domain is meshed in the following way: meshing lines meshing faces After the lines have been meshed the next figure is displayed in the graphic zone.
Result (1)
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 31
Flux10
Result (2)
The mesh of the study domain and the detail of the mesh in the upper glass spacer zone are presented in the figure below.
The mesh is much more refined in the area where the electric field is of high intensity and has a strong variation than in the zone close to the study domain boundary. Generally, the mesh should be created depending on the physics of the problem. The quality of the results depends on the quality of the mesh.
During the meshing the following comments will be displayed in the History zone.
Meshing of 6 faces Automatic mesh of 28 lines 11:30:37 9933 sec. Internal meshing of the lines Automatic meshing of 5 faces Boundary meshing of the faces achieved in 1 iteration(s) Internal meshing of the 5 faces Faces internal meshing achieved End of topological mesh regularization 11:30:39 9935 sec. 3982 1st order surfacic elements created 11:30:39 9935 sec. Generating 2nd order elements is running Total number of nodes --> 8166 11:30:39 9935 sec. End generating 2nd order elements Surface elements : Number of elements not evaluated Number of excellent quality elements Number of good quality elements Number of average quality elements Number of poor quality elements Number of abnormal elements meshFaces executed : : : : : : 0 % 99.27 % 0.73 % 0 % 0 % 0 %
PAGE 32
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
2.3.
Physical description process
Introduction
This section presents the definition of the physical properties materials and regions. This section contains the following topics: Topic Define the physical application Define physical aspects of symmetries Create materials Create face regions Assign face regions to faces Create line regions Assign line regions to lines See Page 34 34 35 35 36 37 38
Contents
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 33
Flux10
2.3.1. Define the physical application
Goal
First, the physical application is defined. The required physical application is the Electro Static 2D application. The characteristics of the application are presented in the table below.
Electro Static 2D application Definition Reference for potential 2D domain type (infinity, symmetry) Axisymmetric Floating potential Solver Automatic solver (Flux2D)
Data
2.3.2. Define physical aspects of symmetries
Goal
Physical aspects of the symmetries created in the geometry description are defined. The characteristics of the symmetry are presented in the tables below.
Symmetry versus Y-axis Name (automatic) SymmetryYaxis_1 Geometrical aspects Type X offset position Versus Y-axis 0 Physical aspects Normal magnetic fields, tangent electric field
Data
PAGE 34
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
2.3.3. Create materials
Goal
Two materials are created directly for the physical description of the cell; the two materials are linear isotropic characterized by the relative permittivity: the first material is water defined for the cell contents the second material is glass defined for the spacer The characteristics of the materials are presented in the tables below.
D(E) dielectric property: linear isotropic Name WATER GLASS Comment Pure water at 20 degrees Classical glass Relative permittivity 80 7
Data
2.3.4. Create face regions
Goal
Five face regions are necessary for the physical description of the measurement cell. Four following face regions will be created: the LIQUID region corresponding with the contents of the cell the GLASS region for the upper and lower glass spacer the AIR region corresponding with the air surrounding the device the RING region for the guard ring of the measurement cell The INFINITE region, already created during the infinite box creation, will be edited to activate its physical properties. The characteristics of the face regions are presented in the table below.
Face region
Data
Name LIQUID GLASS AIR RING INFINITE*
Comment Contents of the cell Upper and lower glass spacer Air surrounding the device Guard ring Infinite region
Type Dielectric region with charge source Dielectric region with charge source Air or vacuum region Boundary condition: perfect conductor Air or vacuum region
Material/ conductor WATER GLASS Floating potential -
Color Cyan Magenta Turquoise Yellow Turquoise
*The region already created and assigned during the creation of the infinite box.
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 35
Flux10
2.3.5. Assign face regions to faces
Goal
The INFINITE region has been already assigned during the creation of the infinite box. The four face regions (LIQUID, GLASS, AIR and HOLE) are assigned to faces. The region assignment is presented in the figure below.
Outline
AIR
GLASS RING LIQUID INFINITE
PAGE 36
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
2.3.6. Create line regions
Boundary conditions
The boundary conditions of the problem are the following: Dirichlet conditions on the electrodes, in order to set the values of the electric potential: - V = -250 V on the lower electrode (LOWELEC line region) - V = 250 V on the upper electrode (UPELEC line region) Float condition on the outline of the guard ring - the line region corresponding to the outline of the RING face region will be created by Flux during data export into the *.tra file
Dirichlet 250V Float
Dirichlet -250V
Goal
Two line regions are necessary to define the boundary conditions as follows: the LOWELEC region to define the boundary conditions on the lower electrode the UPELEC region to define the boundary conditions on the upper electrode The characteristics of the face regions are presented in the table below.
Face region
Data
Name LOWELEC UPELEC
Comment Line region modeling the lower electrode Line region delimiting the upper electrode
Type Boundary condition: imposed electric potential Boundary condition: imposed electric potential
Expression Formula with I/O parameters Formula with I/O parameters -250 250
Color Red Red
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 37
Flux10
2.3.7. Assign line regions to lines
Goal
The line regions (LOWELEC and UPELEC) are assigned to lines. The line regions are assigned as follows: the line region LOWELEC is assigned to the two lines represented the lower electrode the line region UPELEC is assigned to the six lines of the upper electrode The region assignment is presented in the figure below.
Outline
UPELEC
LOWELEC
PAGE 38
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Case 1: static study
3.
Case 1
The first case is a static study.
This study is a very easy problem of electrostatics of axisymmetric type. The testing liquid is pure water. The Flux project is CASE1.TRA. This chapter contains the following topics: Topic Case 1: solving process Case 1: results post-processing See Page 41 47
Project name
Contents
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 39
Flux10
PAGE 40
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
3.1.
Case 1: solving process
Introduction
This section explains how to prepare and solve case 1. The Flux module is Solver_2D. The Flux project is CASE1.TRA. This section contains the following topics: Topic Start the solver Rename the project Solve the project Exit the solver See Page 42 44 45 46
Flux module
Project name
Contents
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 41
Flux10
3.1.1. Start the solver
Goal
First, the solver Solver_2D will be opened. To open the solver Solver_2D from the Flux Supervisor:
Action
1. Select the project geo_mesh_phys.tra 2. Double-click on Direct
PAGE 42
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Result
The Solver_2D window and the Main data tab are presented in the figure below.
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 43
Flux10
3.1.2. Rename the project
Goal
The project containing the geometry, mesh and physics description of the measurement cell will be renamed and saved. To rename the project from the File menu:
1. Click on Save as
Action
2. Type CASE1 as project name 3. Click on Save
PAGE 44
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
3.1.3. Solve the project
Goal
The project CASE1.TRA will be solved. To run the solving process from the Computation menu:
1. Click on Solve
Action
Solver toolbar:
1. Click on the icon
OR
Result
The message in the Output data window indicating the end of the solving process is presented in the figure below.
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 45
Flux10
Result continued
The History window, which is placed at the bottom of the screen, contains the information of the solving process, such as the length of the matrix (one line per node) and the number of non-null terms per line... In this window we can also survey the evolution of the solving process. For example, the intermediary relative errors, the number of iterations etc. will be displayed in the case of iterative processes.
Size of the matrix: Number of lines = 8166 Average length = 10 Integration done, equations assembled Equations solved Status: computation finished
3.1.4. Exit the solver
Goal
The solver window will be closed. To exit the solver from the File menu:
Action
1. Click on Exit
PAGE 46
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
3.2.
Case 1: results post-processing
Introduction
This section explains how to analyze the principal results of case 1. The Flux module is PostPro_2D. The Flux project is CASE1.TRA. This section contains the following topics: Topic Start the postprocessor About the PostPro_2D window Display the equi-potential lines Display a color-shaded plot of the electric field Display the boundary vectors of the electric field Compute the electric energy Compute the potential at a point Display a curve of the electric field variation Display curves of normal and tangential components of the electric field Save the results in a text file Exit the postprocessor See Page 48 50 52 57 60 63 65 67 73 77 78
Flux module
Project name
Contents
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 47
Flux10
3.2.1. Start the postprocessor
Goal
The postprocessor PostPro_2D is opened to analyze the results of computation. To open the postprocessor PostPro_2D from the Flux Supervisor:
Action
1. Select the project CASE1.tra 2. Double-click on Results
PAGE 48
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Result
The PostPro_2D window is presented in the figure below.
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 49
Flux10
3.2.2. About the PostPro_2D window
PostPro_2D window
The PostPro_2D window has the complete set of the tools to analyze the results : display quantities as charts; compute local and global quantities; display 2D and 3D curves; perform spectrum analysis along a path; check the characteristics of the materials that are used in the problem; perform animations; ... The PostPro_2D window is divided into three main areas.
Areas
Data tree
Display window
Legend window
G lobal view
Output
Area Data tree Display window
Output
Function displays all the problem data in a tree structure as well as the supports and the curves to be analyzed that is expanded using the key contains graphical sheets: the geometry tab curve tabs the Review file tab contains the messages displayed during the analysis of the results the *.log_res file tab contains the solving process report
PAGE 50
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Modifying the environment
It is possible to modify the look of the PostPro_2D window on the screen: resize (reduce / enlarge) zones using the resizing handle (||) display / hide zones using the icons from the View menu All PostPro_2D commands are in the menus. Toolbars include icons that are shortcuts to the most useful commands.
Project toolb ar
Menus and toolbars
M enu s
Wind ow menu toolb ar
V iew m en u toolbar
Geometry men u toolbar
R esu lts men u toolbar
Compu tation menu toolb ar
Disp lay toolb ar
Su pp orts menu toolbar
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 51
Flux10
3.2.3. Display the equi-potential lines
Introduction
The display of the equi-potential lines allows you to verify if the problem is correctly formulated and emphasize both the electric field concentration areas and the direction of the field. Moreover, this view allows you to check the mesh quality. This is the first, indispensable control of the accuracy of the results. The equi-potential lines can be displayed on all regions, on a group of regions, or on only one region. The following options define the isovalues properties. You can choose their number, repartition and display mode. You can number them or not. We will display the isovalue lines as follows: eleven numbered equi-potential lines in normal quality uniformly distributed with graphically selected regions To define the isovalues properties from the Results menu:
1. Click on Properties
Goal
Action (1)
Results toolbar:
OR
PAGE 52
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Action (1) continued
2. In the Isovalues tab select Potential as analyzed quantity 3. Select Graphic selection as support 4. Select Normal for quantity 5. Type 11 as number of isovalue lines 6. Select Uniform for scaling 7. Check the Write numbers box
8. Click on Set as default the parameters 9. Click on OK
Action (2)
To display the isovalues from the Results menu:

1. Click on Isovalues
Results toolbar:
OR
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 53
Flux10
Result (1)
The isovalues are displayed in the geometry sheet. The values corresponding to each isovalue are displayed in the legend window.
View adjusting (1)
To modify the view (to zoom a region) in the graphic zone from the View menu:
1. Point on Zoom and click on Zoom rectangle
Geometry toolbar:
OR
PAGE 54
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
View adjusting (1) continued
2. Click in the graphic zone => the left top corner of the rectangular zone is selected 3. Drag without releasing the mouse to select the opposite corner of the rectangular zone
Result (2)
The zoom region is displayed in the graphic zone.
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 55
Flux10
User zoom record
To record the user zoom from the View menu:

1. Point on Zoom, point on User Zoom Define and click on 1
Geometry toolbar:
OR
View adjusting (2)
To redo the user zoom from the View menu:

1. Point on Zoom, point on User Zoom Select and click on 1
Geometry toolbar:
OR
PAGE 56
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
3.2.4. Display a color-shaded plot of the electric field
Introduction
The color-shaded plot of the electric field gives information on its intensity. We will display the color-shaded charts: of the electric field on all the regions To define the color shade properties from the Results menu:
Goal
Action (1)
Results toolbar:
OR
2. In the Color shade tab select Electric field as analyzed quantity 3. Select Graphic selection as support 4. Select Normal for quantity
5. Select Uniform for scaling
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 57
Flux10
Action (2)
To display the color-shaded charts from the Results menu:

1. Click on Color shade
Results toolbar:
OR
Result
The color-shaded charts and isovalues are displayed in the geometry sheet. The values corresponding to each color are displayed in the legend window.
Note: By default, if no region is selected, the isovalue lines, the color-shaded plots, the vectors etc. are displayed on all the regions.
PAGE 58
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Action (3)
To deactivate the display of the isovalues from the Results menu:

Results toolbar:
OR
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 59
Flux10
3.2.5. Display the boundary vectors of the electric field
Introduction
The boundary vectors allow you to visualize the value and the orientation of the electric field on the outline of a region. We will display the boundary vectors: of the electric field on the LIQUID region To define the properties from the Results menu:
Goal
Action (1)
Results toolbar:
OR
2. In the Bound vectors tab select Electric field as analyzed quantity 3. Select LIQUID region as support 4. Select Arrow for quantity 5. Type 10% as vector size 6. Select All to display all the vectors
7. Click on Set as default 8. Click on OK
PAGE 60
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Action (2)
To deactivate the display of the color-shaded charts from the Results menu:
Results toolbar:
OR
Action (3)
To display the boundary vectors from the Results menu:

1. Click on Boundary vectors
Results toolbar:
OR
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 61
Flux10
Result
The boundary vectors on the LIQUID region are displayed as presented in the figure below.
Action (4)
To superpose the mesh elements on the current view (isovalue lines, colorshaded plots, regions ...) from the Geometry menu:
1. Point on Elements and click on Superimpose
Geometry toolbar:
OR
PAGE 62
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
3.2.6. Compute the electric energy
Goal
We will compute the global quantities of the electric energy and co-energy in the LIQUID region. To define the computation properties from the Computation menu:
1. Click On a support
Action (1)
Computation toolbar:
OR
2. Select Regions as filter 3. Select LIQUID region as support
5. In the Computation tab select Energy as quantity 6. Click on Add All
7. Click on OK
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 63
Flux10
Action (2)
To compute the electric energy:
1. Click on Compute to start the computation
Result
The results corresponding to the LIQUID region are displayed in the dialog presented in the figure below.
Note: The stored energy is equal to the co-energy because the LIQUID region consists of a linear material.
Action (3)
To close the dialog after the results analysis:

1. Click on Close
PAGE 64
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
3.2.7. Compute the potential at a point
Goal
We will compute the local quantity: of the potential at the point with coordinates R = 13 mm and Z = 0 mm To define the computation properties from the Computation menu:
1. Click On a point
Action (1)
OR
2. Type 13 as R coordinate 3. Type 0 as Z coordinate
Note: It is possible to choose graphically computation points by activating the Pick button (in the figure above).
5. Select Potential as quantity 6. Select Potential as component 7. Click on Add
8. Click on OK
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 65
Flux10
Action (2)
To compute the potential on a point:
Result
The potential value is displayed in the dialog presented in the figure below.
Action (3)

1. Click on Close
PAGE 66
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
3.2.8. Display a curve of the electric field variation along a path

All the local quantities can be displayed as curves along a path (straight line, arc) or along a shell region. The process to plot the variation of a quantity along a path is as follows:
About the display of spatial variation of a local quantity
Stage 1 2 3
Description Definition of the path as computation support Definition of the curve(s) to be displayed Display the previously defined curve(s)
Goal
We will display the variation of the electric field in the liquid, along a path between the lower electrode and the upper glass spacer. First, the path is defined as follows: the segment with - coordinates of starting point (R = 15; Z = 4) - and coordinates of ending point (R = 15; Z = -3.9) Second, the curve is defined as follows: the path is displayed on the X-axis the local quantity (magnitude of electric field) is displayed on the Y-axis Then, variations of the electric field in the liquid between the lower electrode and the upper glass spacer are displayed.
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 67
Flux10
Action (1)
To define the path from the Supports menu:

1. Click on Path manager
Managers toolbar:
OR
2. Type Liquid_Path as name 3. Type 100 as discritization 4. Click on New section 5. Select Straight segment as section type 6. Type 15 as R coordinate and 4 as Z coordinate of starting point 7. Type 15 as R coordinate and -3.9 as Z coordinate of end point 8. Click on OK to create the section 9. Click on Create
Notes: In order to pass from a field to another you should use the TAB mouse and not the Return/Enter key.
Instead of performing task 9, it is possible to click directly on the icon allows us to save the path and also to open the 2D curves manager. key or the that
PAGE 68
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Action (2)
To define the curve from the Computation menu: Computation toolbar:

1. Click on 2D curves manager
OR
2. Type Magnitude as name 3. Select Path as computation support 4. Select Liquid_Path as X-axis 5. Select Field as quantity 6. Select Magnitude as Y-axis 7. Click on Create to create the curve
8. Click on Close
Action (3)
To display the curve from the Window menu:

1. Click on New 2D curves sheet
Window toolbar:
OR
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 69
Flux10
Action (4)
To modify the curve properties from the 2D curves menu:
2. In the Selection tab select Computation as filter 3. Select Magnitude as curve 4. Click on Add
5. In the Display tab select User as range 6. Type 46000 as minimum 7. Type 80000 as maximum
8. Click on Ok
PAGE 70
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Result
The curve is displayed as presented in the figure below.
Action (5)
To add a cursor on the curve from 2D Curves menu:

1. Click on New cursor
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 71
Flux10
Result
The cursor and the Cursor dialog are displayed as shown in the figure below.
It is possible: to pick values on the curve by using the cursor; to check other values of the electric field by modifying the value displayed along X-axis in the Cursor dialog, or move the vertical cursor with the mouse; to open a second Cursor dialog, if you want to compute the variation of the electric field between two points.
PAGE 72
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
3.2.9. Display curves of normal and tangential components of the electric field
We will plot the normal and tangential components of the electric field along a path between the lower electrode and the upper glass spacer. The already defined Liquid_Path path will be used as computation support for two curves. The curves are defined as follows: the path is displayed on the X-axis the normal / tangent component of electric field is displayed on the Y-axis To define the curve from the Computation menu:
Goal
Action (1)
OR
2. Type NormComp as name 3. Select Path as computation support 4. Select Liquid_Path as X-axis 5. Select Field as quantity 6. Double-click on Normal component to select the component and to create the curve
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 73
Flux10

7. Type TanComp as name
8. Double-click on Normal component to select the component and to create the curve 9. Click on Close
Action (2)
To display the curves from the Data tree:
1. 2. 3. 4.
Click on NormComp Click on TanComp with the Ctrl key pressed Right-click to open the contextual menu In the contextual menu click on Display
PAGE 74
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Action (3)
To modify the curve properties from the 2D curves menu:
2. In the Display tab select User as range
3. Click on OK
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 75
Flux10
Result
The curves are displayed as presented in the figure below.
Note: After having placed the mouse on one of the curves, it is possible to click on Properties in the contextual menu to open the 2D Curves properties dialog.
PAGE 76
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
3.2.10.
Save the results in a text file
Goal
Now, we will save the results in a text file (*.txt). To save the results in a text file from the View menu:
Action
1. Click on Save review file as
2. Click on Save
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 77
Flux10
3.2.11.
Exit the postprocessor
Goal
The postprocessor window will be closed. To exit the postprocessor from the File menu:
Action
1. Click on Exit
2. Click on Yes
PAGE 78
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Case 2: multi-parametric computation
4.
Case 2
The second case is a multi-parametric computation.
In this study two parameters physical and geometric are used. The physical parameter is the relative permittivity of the testing liquid (pure water) varying between 10 and 120. The geometric parameter is the curvature radius of the rounded corners of the electrodes varying between 0.6 mm and 0.8 mm. The last parameter determines the height of the upper glass spacer. The height of the upper spacer decreases when the value of the curvature radius increases. The Flux project is CASE2.TRA. This chapter contains the following topics: Topic Case 2: solving process Case 2: results post-processing See Page 81 95
Project name
Contents
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 79
Flux10
PAGE 80
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
4.1.
Introduction
This section explains how to prepare and solve case 2. The Flux module is Solver_2D. The Flux project is CASE2.TRA. This section contains the following topics: Topic Start the solver Rename the project Activate the parameterization context Define the parameters Define the computation method Close the parameterization context Solve the project Exit the solver See Page 82 83 84 85 89 90 92 94
Flux module
Project name
Contents
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 81
Flux10
Goal
Action
1. Select the project geo_mesh_phys.tra 2. Double-click on Direct
PAGE 82
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Goal
The project containing the geometry, mesh and physics description of the measurement cell will be renamed and saved. To rename the project from the File menu:
1. Click on Save as
Action
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 83
Flux10
4.1.3. Activate the parameterization context
Goal
First, the parameterization context will be activated. To activate the parameterization context Parameterization menu:
1. Click on Parameter
Action
Toolbar:
OR
Result
The parameterization window is presented below.
PAGE 84
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
4.1.4. Define the parameters

Goal
Two parameters will be defined for the parameterized solving process: the physical parameter the relative permittivity of the testing liquid (pure water) varies between 10 and 120; the computations are carried out for the values: 10, 20, 30, ,100, 110, 120; the reference value is set to 80 the geometric parameter the curvature radius of the corners of the electrodes varies between 0.6 mm and 0.8 mm; the computations are carried out for the values: 0.6, 0.625, 0.65, 0.675, 0.7, 0.73, 0.77, 0.8; its reference value is set to 0.8mm. To parameterize the relative permeability of the LIQUID material from the Data tree:
1. Double-click on materials to expand the data tree 2. Double-click on LIQUID to expand the data tree 3. Select Permittivity
Action (1)
4. Verify the reference value 80 5. Click on Value of step
6. Type 10 as lower limit 7. Type 120 as upper limit 8. Type 10 as value of step
9. Click on OK

Flux10
Note: The items materials, LIQUID: Isotropic Eps, scalar constant and Relative permittivity in the data tree are now preceded by a red point, while the others, not yet parameterized, are preceded by a green point.
Action (2)
To display (check) the values of the parameter:
2. Click on Display
Result
The values of the physical parameter to compute are displayed in the window below.
PAGE 86
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Action (3)
To parameterize the RADIUS geometric parameter from the Data tree:

1. Double-click on Geometry to expand the data tree 2. Select RADIUS
3. Type 0.8 as new reference value 4. Click on Number of steps
5. Type 0.6 as limit 1 6. Type 0.7 as limit 2 7. Type 5 as number of steps
8. Click on OK
9. Click on List of values
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 87
Flux10
10. Type 0.8 as limit 2 11. Type 0.73 and 0.77 separated by a space as data
12. Click on OK
Action (4)
To display (check) the values of the parameter:
1. Click on Display
Result
The values of the geometric parameter to compute are displayed in the window below.
PAGE 88
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
4.1.5. Define the computation method
Goal
To study the influence of the two parameters on the results, the computation method is set to the multi-parametric method. Using this method the problem will be solved for each value of the permittivity of the liquid (twelve values) and for each value of the curvature radius (eight values), totally 12 x 8 = 96 computations. To define the computation method from the Method menu:
1. Click on Multi-parametric
Action
Toolbar:
OR
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 89
Flux10
4.1.6. Close the parameterization context
Goal
The parameterization context will be closed to return to the solver window. To save the data from the File menu:
1. Click on Save
Action (1)
Toolbar:
OR
Action (2)
To close the parameterization context from the File menu:

1. Click on Save
Toolbar:
OR
PAGE 90
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Result
The Parameters tab of the solver summarizes the parameterized quantities used during the solving process.
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 91
Flux10
Goal
1. Click on Solve
Action
Solver toolbar:
OR
Result
The solving process is running as presented in the figure below.
PAGE 92
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
The message in the Output data window indicating the end of the solving process is presented below.
Size of the matrix: Number of lines = 7306 Average length = 10 Computation 1/96 Value of the parameter RADIUS: Geometrical parameter = 0.6 Value of the parameter LIQUID: Permittivity = 80 Integration done, equations assembled Equations solved Computation 2/96 Value of the parameter RADIUS: Geometrical parameter = 0.6 Value of the parameter LIQUID: Permittivity = 10 Integration done, equations assembled Equations solved ... ... Computation 96/96 Value of the parameter RADIUS: Geometrical parameter = 0.8 Value of the parameter LIQUID: Permittivity = 120 Integration done, equations assembled Equations solved Status: computation finished
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 93
Flux10
Goal
The solver window will be closed. To exit the solver from the File menu:
Action
1. Click on Exit
PAGE 94
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
4.2.
Introduction
This section explains how to analyze the principal results of case 2. The Flux module is PostPro_2D. The Flux project is CASE2.TRA. This section contains the following topics: Topic Start the postprocessor Display a color-shaded plot of the electric field Display a color-shaded plot of the electric field in animation mode Compute the electric field at a point for the value 120 of the relative permittivity Compute the electric field at a point for the value 10 of the relative permittivity Display a curve of energy as function of the relative permittivity Display a curve of potential at a point as function of the relative permittivity Display curves of potential along the line region of the guard ring as function of the relative permittivity Display a curve of electric field at a point as function of the curvature radius Display a curve of electric field along a path across the upper glass spacer as function of the curvature radius Display a curve of electric field along the line region of upper electrode as function of the curvature radius Exit the postprocessor See Page 96 97 100 102 104 106 108 110 113 115 119 122
Flux module
Project name
Contents
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 95
Flux10
Goal
Action
1. Select the project CASE2.tra 2. Double-click on Results
PAGE 96
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
4.2.2. Display a color-shaded plot of the electric field
Goal
Now we are going to display the color-shaded plot: of the electric field on all the regions By default, POSTPRO_2D uses the reference values of the parameters defined in SOLVER_2D for the result analysis. In this case, the reference value of the relative permittivity is 80 and the reference value of the RADIUS parameter is 0.8 mm. To modify the view (to zoom a region) in the graphic zone from the View menu:
1. Point on Zoom and click on Zoom rectangle
View adjusting
Geometry toolbar:
OR
2. Click in the graphic zone => the left top corner of the rectangular zone is selected 3. Drag without releasing the mouse to select the opposite corner of the rectangular zone
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 97
Flux10
Action (1)
To define the color shade properties from the Results menu:

Results toolbar:
OR
2. In the Color shade tab select Electric field as analyzed quantity 3. Select Graphic selection as support 4. Select Normal for quantity
5. Select Uniform for scaling
Action (2)
To display the color-shaded charts from the Results menu:

Results toolbar:
OR
PAGE 98
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Result
The color-shaded charts are displayed in the geometry sheet. The values corresponding to each color are displayed in the legend window.
Note: The color-shaded plots of the electric field correspond to the reference value 80 of the relative permittivity and to the reference value 0.8 mm of the RADIUS parameter.
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 99
Flux10
4.2.3. Display a color-shaded plot of the electric field in animation mode

Now, we are going to visualize the evolution of the color-shaded plots of the electric field versus relative permittivity parameter. The RADIUS parameter will be set to the reference value 0.8 mm. To display the color-shaded charts in animation mode from the Parameters menu:
1. Click on Manager
Goal
Action
Managers toolbar:
OR
2. Click on Animation to modify the parameters for the animation mode
3. Select Epsr(LIQUID) as parameter 4. Select 10 as starting value 5. Select 1 as step 6. Click on to start the animation of the color shade of the electric field

PAGE 100 ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Result
The color-shaded plots of the electric field corresponding to different values of the relative permittivity are successively displayed. The last displayed view corresponds to the value 120 of the relative permittivity.
It is possible: to modify the animation speed in the Parameters dialog to choose the direction of the moving samples to replay the animation to record the different samples in an animation file (*.AVI).
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 101
Flux10
4.2.4. Compute the electric field at a point for the value 120 of the relative permittivity
Now we are going to compute the local quantity: of the electric field at the point defined by its coordinates R = 15 mm and Z = 5 mm for the value 120 of the LIQUID region relative permittivity. To define the computation properties from the Computation menu:
1. Click On a point
Goal
Action (1)
OR
2. Type 15 as R coordinate 3. Type 5 as Z coordinate
5. Select Field as quantity
6. Click on Add All 7. Click on OK

Flux 10
Action (2)
Result
The values of electric field module are displayed in the dialog presented in the figure below.
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 103
Flux10
4.2.5. Compute the electric field at a point for the value 10 of the relative permittivity
Goal
Now we are going to compute the local quantity: of the electric field at the point defined by its coordinates R = 15 mm and Z = 5 mm for the value 10 of the LIQUID region relative permittivity. To set the value of the LIQUID region relative permittivity to 10 from Parameters menu:
1. Click on Manager
Action (1)
Managers toolbar:
OR
2. Click on Animation to modify the parameters for the animation mode
3. Select Epsr(LIQUID) as parameter
to have the 4. Click on the icon minimal relative permeability

Flux 10
Action (2)
To compute the electric field at the point used in the previous computation:
Action (3)

1. Click on Close
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 105
Flux10
4.2.6. Display a curve of energy as function of the relative permittivity

Now we will plot the variation of the energy stored in the GLASS region as function of the relative permittivity of the LIQUID region. The curve is defined as follows: the relative permittivity of the LIQUID region is displayed on the X-axis the stored energy on the GLASS region support is displayed on the Y-axis The displayed values correspond to the reference value 0.8 mm of the RADIUS parameter. To define and display the curve from the Computation menu:
Goal
Action
OR
2. Type Energy_Glass as name 3. Select Parameter 4. Select Epsr(LIQUID) as X-axis 5. Select Energy as quantity 6. Select Stored energy as Y-axis 7. Select the GLASS region as support 8. Click on the icon to create and display the curve
PAGE 106
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Result
The curve is displayed in a curve sheet.
On the curve that has just been displayed, it is possible: to perform zooms to use the contextual menus to compute mean values or integrals
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 107
Flux10
4.2.7. Display a curve of potential at a point as function of the relative permittivity

Now we will plot the variation of the potential at a point of the GLASS region as function of the relative permittivity of the LIQUID region. The curve is defined as follows: the relative permittivity of the LIQUID region is displayed on the X-axis the potential at the point, defined by coordinates R = 15 mm and Z = 1 mm, is displayed on the Y-axis: The displayed values correspond to the reference value 0.8 mm of the RADIUS parameter. To define and display the curve from the Computation menu:
Goal
Action
OR
2. Type V_Glass_Point as name 3. Select Parameter 4. Select Epsr(LIQUID) as X-axis 5. Select Potential as quantity 6. Select Potential as Yaxis 7. Type 15 as R coordinate 8. Type 5 as Z coordinate 9. Click on the icon to create and display the curve
PAGE 108
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Result
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 109
Flux10
4.2.8. Display curves of potential along the line region of the guard ring as function of the relative permittivity
We will plot the variations of the potential along the RING line region as function of the relative permittivity of the LIQUID region. The curves are defined as follows: the RING line region is displayed on the X-axis the potential is displayed on the Y-axis: Only the curves corresponding to one value out of two of the relative permittivity of the LIQUID region, which varies from 10 to 120, are displayed. The displayed values correspond to the reference value 0.8 mm of the RADIUS parameter. To define and display the curves from the Computation menu:
Goal
Action (1)
OR
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
11.
Type V_Ring as name Select Shell region Select RING as X-axis Type 100 as discretization Select Potential as quantity Select Potential as Yaxis Select Epsr(LIQUID) as parameter Type 2 as step for the selection of parameter values Select the values of parameter by clicking on value 10 and then on value 120 with the Shift key pressed Click on the icon to create and display the curve
PAGE 110
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Result
The curves are displayed in a curve sheet.
Action (2)
To superpose the curves from the 2D curves menu:
3. Click on OK

Flux10
Result
The curves are displayed in one coordinate system.
PAGE 112
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
4.2.9. Display a curve of electric field at a point as function of the curvature radius
Now we will plot the variation of the electric field at a point of the GLASS region as function of the curvature radius. The curve is defined as follows: the RADIUS parameter (curvature radius) is displayed on the X-axis the local quantity is displayed on the Y-axis: - the module of the electric field at the point defined by the coordinates R = 14.2 mm and Z = 5 mm The computation will be carried out for the value 10 of the relative permittivity of the LIQUID region, last value used in the previous computation. To define and display the curve from the Computation menu:
Goal
Action
OR
2. Type E_Glass_Point as name 3. Select Parameter 4. Select RADIUS as Xaxis 5. Select Field as quantity 6. Select Magnitude as Y-axis 7. Type 14.2 as R coordinate 8. Type 5 as Z coordinate 9. Click on the icon to create and display the curve
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 113
Flux10
Result
PAGE 114
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
4.2.10. Display a curve of electric field along a path across the upper glass spacer as function of the curvature radius
Goal
Now we will plot the magnitude of the electric field along a path crossing the superior glass spacer as a function of the curvature radius. First, the value of the relative permeability of the LIQUID region is set to the reference value 80. Second, the path is defined as follows: the segment with - coordinates of starting point (R = 14.2; Z = 3.5) - and coordinates of ending point (R = 14.2; Z = 6.5) Then, the curve is defined as follows: the path is displayed on the X-axis the magnitude of electric field is displayed on the Y-axis To set the reference value in the Parameters dialog:
Action (1)
1. Click on Set all to ref
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 115
Flux10
Action (2)
To define the path from the Supports menu:

1. Click on Path manager
Managers toolbar:
OR
2. Type Liquid_Path as name 3. Type 100 as discritization 4. Click on New section 5. Select Straight segment as section type 6. Type 14.2 as R coordinate and 3.5 as Z coordinate of starting point 7. Type 14.2 as R coordinate and 6.5 as Z coordinate of end point 8. Click on OK to create the section
9. Click on the icon to create the path and open the 2D curves manager
PAGE 116
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Action (3)
To define and display the curve from the 2D curves manager:

2. Type E_Glass_Path as name 3. Select Path 4. Select Glass_Path as Xaxis 5. Select Field as quantity 6. Select Magnitude as Yaxis 7. Select RADIUS as parameter 8. Type 1 as step for the selection of parameter values 9. Select the values of parameter by clicking on value 0.6 and then on value 0.8 with the Shift key pressed to 10. Click on the icon create and display the curve
Action (4)
To superimpose the curves from the 2D curves menu:
3. Click on OK

Flux10
Result
PAGE 118
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
4.2.11. Display a curve of electric field along the line region of upper electrode as function of the curvature radius
We will plot the variation of the magnitude of the electric field along the UPELEC line region as function of the RADIUS parameter. The curves are defined as follows: the UPELEC line region is displayed on the X-axis the magnitude of the electric field is displayed on the Y-axis: The displayed values correspond to the reference value 80 of the relative permittivity of the LIQUID region. To define and display the curves from the Computation menu:
Goal
Action
OR
2. Type E_Upelec as name 3. Select Shell region 4. Select UPELEC as Xaxis 5. Select 100 as discretization 6. Select Field as quantity 7. Select Magnitude as Yaxis 8. Select RADIUS as parameter 9. Type 1 as step for the selection of parameter values 10. Select the values of parameter by clicking on value 0.6 and then on the Ctrl+A key 11. Click on the icon to create and display the curve
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 119
Flux10
Action (4)
To superpose the curves from 2D curves menu:
3. Click on OK
PAGE 120
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Result
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 121
Flux10
4.2.12.
Exit the postprocessor
Goal
Action
1. Click on Exit
2. Click on Yes
PAGE 122
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Case 3: static study, material with the low relative permittivity
5.
Case 3
The third case is a static study.
This study differs from case 1 only by the nature of the testing material. The testing liquid is mineral oil. The Flux project is CASE3.TRA. This chapter contains the following topics: Topic Case 3: modifying physical properties Case 3: solving process Case 3: results post-processing See Page 124 131 135
Project name
Contents
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 123
Flux10
5.1.
Case 3: modifying physical properties
Introduction
This section explains how to prepare case 3. The Flux module is Preflux. The Flux project is CASE3.FLU. This section contains the following topics: Topic Start the preprocessor Rename the project Create a material Modify the LIQUID face region Save the project and exit the preprocessor See Page 125 126 127 129 130
Flux module
Project name
Contents
PAGE 124
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
5.1.1. Start the preprocessor
Goal
The preprocessor Preflux will be opened to manage the geometry building, mesh generation and physical description of the device. To open the preprocessor Preflux from the Flux Supervisor:
Action
1. Select the project geo_mesh_phys.flu 2. Double-click on Geometry&Physics
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 125
Flux10
Goal
The project containing the geometry, mesh and physics description of the measurement cell will be renamed and saved. To rename the project from the Project menu:
Action
1. Click on Save as
PAGE 126
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
5.1.3. Create a material
Goal
A new material is defined for the cell contents; the material is linear isotropic characterized by the relative permittivity. The characteristics of the materials are presented in the tables below.
D(E) dielectric property: linear isotropic Name OIL Comment Mineral oil Relative permittivity 2.5
Data
Action
To create the material from Physics menu:

1. Point on Material and click on New
Physics toolbar:
OR
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 127
Flux10
Action (continued)
2. Type OIL as name of material 3. Type Mineral oil as comment 4. In the D(E) tab check the Dielectric property box 5. Select Linear isotropic as type of property 6. Type 2.5 as relative permittivity
7. Click on OK
8. Click on Cancel to quit the sequence
PAGE 128
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
5.1.4. Modify the LIQUID face region
Goal
The new OIL material is assigned to the LIQUID face region. To modify the LIQUID face region from the Data tree:
Action
1. Right-click on LIQUID to open the contextual menu 2. In the contextual menu click on Edit
3. Select OIL as material of the region
4. Click on OK
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 129
Flux10
5.1.5. Save the project and exit the preprocessor
Goal
The current project will be saved and closed. To save the project from the Project menu:
1. Click on Save
Action (1)
Project toolbar:
OR
Action (2)
To exit the preprocessor from the Project menu:

1. Click on Exit
Project toolbar:
OR
PAGE 130
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
5.2.
Introduction
This section explains how to solve case 3. The Flux module is Solver_2D. The Flux project is CASE3.TRA. This section contains the following topics: Topic Start the solver Solve the project Exit the solver See Page 132 133 133
Flux module
Project name
Contents
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 131
Flux10
Goal
Action
1. Select the project case3.tra 2. Double-click on Direct
PAGE 132
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
Goal
1. Click on Solve
Action
Solver toolbar:
OR
Goal
The solver window will be closed. To exit the solver from the
Action
1. Click on Exit
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 133
Flux10
PAGE 134
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
5.3.
Introduction
This section explains how to analyze the principal results of case 3. The Flux module is PostPro_2D. The Flux project is CASE3.TRA. This section contains the following topics: Topic Start the postprocessor Display the equi-potential lines Compute the electric energy Exit the postprocessor See Page 136 137 139 141
Flux module
Project name
Contents
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 135
Flux10
Goal
Action
1. Select the project case3.tra 2. Double-click on Results
PAGE 136
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
5.3.2. Display the equi-potential lines
Goal
We will display the isovalue lines as follows: eleven numbered equi-potential lines in normal quality uniformly distributed with graphically selected regions To define the isovalues properties from the Results menu:
Action (1)
Results toolbar:
OR
2. In the Isovalues tab select Potential as analyzed quantity 3. Select Graphic selection as support 4. Select Normal for quantity 5. Type 11 as number of isovalue lines 6. Select Uniform for scaling 7. Check the Write numbers box
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 137
Flux10
Action (2)
To display the isovalues from the Results menu:

Results toolbar:
OR
Result
The isovalues are displayed in the geometry sheet. The values corresponding to each isovalue are displayed in the legend window.
PAGE 138
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
5.3.3. Compute the electric energy
Goal
We will compute the global quantities of the electric energy and co-energy in the LIQUID region. To define the computation properties from the Computation menu:
1. Click On a support
Action (1)
OR
2. Select Regions as filter 3. Select LIQUID region as support
5. In the Computation tab select Energy as quantity 6. Click on Add All
7. Click on OK
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 139
Flux10
Action (2)
Result
The results corresponding to the LIQUID region are displayed in the dialog presented in the figure below.
Note: The energy (and also the co-energy) stored in the LIQUID region is lower than the value corresponding to case 1, because the new OIL material has a relative permittivity lower than that of the WATER material in Case 1.
Action (3)

1. Click on Close
PAGE 140
ELECTROSTATICS
Flux 10
5.3.4. Exit the postprocessor
Goal
Action
1. Click on Exit
ELECTROSTATICS
PAGE 141
Flux10
PAGE 142
ELECTROSTATICS

Flux Tutorial ES2D

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Flux Tutorial ES2D

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

CAD Package for Electromagnetic and Thermal Analysis using Finite Elements

Copyright July 2009

Flux is a registered trademark.

Flux software : Flux tutorials :

COPYRIGHT CEDRAT/INPG/CNRS/EDF COPYRIGHT CEDRAT

This tutorial was edited on 1 July 2009 Ref.: K205-10-EN-07/09

Command files and Flux files

follow 2.1 2.2 2.3 3 4 5

* Flux files are ready to be meshed and then solved.

2. Construction of the Flux project .............................................................................................13

3. Case 1: static study ...............................................................................................................39

4. Case 2: multi-parametric computation................................................................................... 79

1.1.1. Description of the studied device

Electrode made of SS 304L

1.1.2. Studied cases

The first case is a static study.

The second case is a multi-parametric computation.

The third case is a static study.

Strategy to build the Flux project

1.2.1. Main phases for geometry description

Creation of points and lines

Creation of points and lines by propagation

Continued on next page

Creation of an infinite box

Creation of points and lines to close the domain

1.2.2. Main phases for mesh generation

Assignment of 3 mesh points to points

Assignment of the NO_MESH mesh generator

Meshing: meshing lines meshing faces

1.2.3. Main phases for physical description

Creation and assignment of face regions

GLASS HOLE LIQUID INFINITE

Creation and assignment of line regions

Construction of the Flux project

Construction of the Flux project

Flux project file

Construction of the Flux project

Construction of the Flux project

Geometry description process

Construction of the Flux project

2.1.1. Add symmetries to the domain

The characteristics of the symmetry are presented in the tables below.

Geometrical aspects Type X offset position Versus Y-axis 0

Construction of the Flux project

2.1.2. Create the geometric parameters

Continued on next page

Construction of the Flux project

Construction of the Flux project

2.1.3. Create points and lines of the lower electrode

The characteristics of the points are presented in the tables below.

The characteristics of the lines are presented in the table below.

Construction of the Flux project

Line 4 Line 5 Line 3

The characteristics of the points are presented in the tables below.

The characteristics of the arc are presented in the table below.

Construction of the Flux project

The characteristics of the points are presented in the tables below.

The characteristics of the arc are presented in the table below.

Construction of the Flux project

2.1.6. Create lines of the glass spacers and of the axis

Construction of the Flux project

2.1.7. Create a geometric transformation

The characteristics of the transformation are presented in the table below.