Opera Features

The Machines Environment supports the rapid setup of motor and generator models and their analysis using parameterized templates. The Machines Environments enables extensive model customization to meet the design requirements of the user.

Standard machines available include:

• DC machines
• Induction machines
• Permanent Magnet Synchronous machines
• Permanent Magnet external rotor machine
• Switched Reluctance motor
• Synchronous Reluctance motor
• Synchronous machine

Opera can perform standard design calculations to obtain useful results such as back-EMF, cogging torque, load torque, open and short-circuit curves.

A direct coupling with the Opera Optimizer allows the refinement and optimization of designs based on user requirements.

The Transformer Environment enables the automatic definition of transformer and reactor models, solution and preparation for optimization. Standard analyses include short-circuit, open-circuit and inrush. Opera performs Finite Element Analysis, meaning that it calculates accurate results using true nonlinear properties and representative drive circuits. The automatic output quantities include impedances, resistances, forces and losses, as well as the usual display options for the magnetic flux density and other quantities. The integration of the Transformer Environment with the Opera optimizer means that the user can automatically optimize parameters such as core dimensions through bolt diameters.

Transformer Environment standard results include:

• Efficiency
• Inductances
• Saturation curves
• Short-circuit analysis
• Open-circuit analysis
• Inrush current/load test
• Switch on transients
• Losses – copper, eddy-current, hysteresis
• Design optimization
• Co-simulation with Simulink®
• Stray field/shielding analysis (EMC/EMI)
• Dynamic forces on coils

Options exist to solve for materials that exhibit:

• Linear or non-linear electromagnetic behavior (with hysteresis)
• Isotropic, Orthotropic or Laminated properties
• Permanent Magnet properties (including magnetization & demagnetization solutions)

Opera aids in the design of electromagnetic/electromechanical devices. Therefore, its primary capability is low-frequency electromagnetics. However, it includes other physics, such as structural stress and thermal analysis as support functions. Opera is, therefore, multiphysics software. Analyses are chained, passing results between the different physics. Properties are nonlinear. So the user can perform, say, an electromagnetic analysis, pass losses to a thermal analysis, calculate the thermal distribution and then perform a subsequent electromagnetic analysis considering the temperature-dependent material properties. Opera thus enables studies such as loss of torque in permanent magnet motors or homogeneity studies in magnets under load.

The Opera Optimizer is a software tool that assists users in achieving optimal designs. The full integration with Opera enables quick and easy investigations of possible design spaces for multiphysics problems. It uses an efficient optimization algorithm that combines deterministic and stochastic methods to solve single and multi-objective optimization problems.

Optimization problem definition using:

• Design variables, along with numerical limits
• Inequality and equality constraints
• Objective functions to minimize or maximize

Optimization process control by means of:

• Termination criteria for the optimization algorithm
• Design of the initial population distribution
• Selection of solution databases to keep