Learning Forum

[alavello]

Hi. I am trying to set up a System Coupling case using 3D Maxwell (Eddy Current) and Fluent to simulate a transient process of induction heating. I have tried the Bar and Coil tutorial, and everything works fine with it. However, in my particular case, instead of solving the electromagnetic field inside the volume I use an impedance boundary condition on the heated (flat) surface, which is much faster and gives accurate results. I expect Maxwell to export the surface loss density on the heated surface as an output to Fluent, but this is not happening. 

When I look at the .scp file to check what variables and regions are exchanged between Maxwell and System Coupling, I see no surfaces among the regions, which indicates that the surface loss density is actually not being exported from Maxwell Eddy Current to Fluent. My understanding from System Coupling Users Guide is that the surface heat loss should be exported (see figure below), so I wonder if this is a program's bug. 

Am I missing something? Any idea on why this is happening? 

[GLUO]

Hello,

Surface loss is quite different from regular coupling. A corresponding layer of surface mesh might be needed at fluent side. Please repost this question on Mechanical and seek help from fluent team.

GL

Maxwell support team

[alavello]

Hi. Thanks for your reply, but the issue I am reporting is not on Fluent's side but in Maxwell. My question remains unanswered, since the export of surface heat loss from Maxwell is independent from the other coupling participant, be it Fluent or Mechanical or other. 

I work with with Fluent on a regular basis, and I do not foresee any trouble with the surface heat loss input from System Coupling. In fact, specifying heat rate conditions on wall boundaries is common in thermal problems. 

[Niki Aivalioti]

Hello, 

Surface loss density mapping via system coupling is not yet supported. This is probably the reason you are encountering this issue.

[alavello]

Hi, 

Thanks for the clarification. In my opinion, if this functionality is not supported by SyC, it should be clarified in the Users Guide. In its present form, Table 5 (displayed in my opening post) is misleading, since "surface heat rate outputs" from "3D Eddy Current" simulations seem to refer to impedance boundary conditions.