The Galerkin Lumped Parameter Method for Thermal Problems

In this contribution, we present a method called Galerkin lumped parameter (GLP) method, as a generalization of the lumped parameter models used in engineering. This method can also be seen as a model-order reduction method. Similarities and differences are discussed. In the GLP method, introduced in [1], domain is decomposed into several sub-domains and a time-independent adapted reduced basis is calculated solving elliptic problems in each sub-domain. The method seeks a global solution in the space spanned by this basis, by solving an ordinary differential system. This approach is useful for electric motors, since the decomposition into several pieces is natural. Numerical results concerning heat equation are presented. Firstly, the comparison with an analytic solution is shown to check the implementation of the numerical algorithm. Secondly, the thermal behavior of an electric motor is simulated, assuming that the electric losses are known. A comparison with the solution obtained by the finite element method is shown.