Multiphysic Design and Modeling of Rotating Electrical Machines

This paper presents a general overview on design process of electrical machines considering a multiphysic point of view, and a road map for a comprehensive design approach is drawn. The objective multi-physical criterion including electromagnetism and mechanics physics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, structural dynamics, noise and vibration are discussed. Also, various modelling methodologies are presented and compared in terms of computational-time resources and accuracy. Current state of art in this approach will be presented highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of such methodologies

Equivalent slot thermal conductivity and back-iron extension effects on machine cooling

Back-iron Extension (BIE) is an effective thermal management technique which reduces the winding temperatures by projecting part of the back iron into the center of slot, thereby shortening the heat transfer path between the coil and back iron. Based on an existing concentrated-wound traction motor, this paper investigates the effects of equivalent slot thermal conductivity of coil on the optimal back iron extension geometry and temperature reduction

SRM drives for electric traction

"GAECE" -- PortadaDescripció del recurs: 11 maig 2020GAECE (Grup d’accionaments elèctrics amb commutació electrònica). The group of electronically commutated electrical drives is a research team of Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC BARCELONATECH), which conducts investigation in four areas: electrical drives, power electronics, mechanics and energy and sustainability. Regarding electrical drives, research focuses on the development of new reluctance, permanent magnet and hybrid electrical drives. The main goal of those electrical drives is the integration of the power converter/controller and the mechanical transmission, being specially intended for the traction of light electric vehicles. That research is carried out by using the analysis of finite elements, taking into account eco-design criteria, considering new materials and new control strategies.First editio

Electrical Machine Topologies: Hottest Topics in the Electrical Machine Research Community

In this article, the state of the art in electrical machine design is outlined underlining the problems and challenges to be solved by engineers. As highlighted in this article, even if electrical machine design is often considered a mature issue from the technical and technological point of view, every year, new progresses and steps forward are made. New and more sophisticated design tools can be used worldwide, and innovative manufacturing processes, new insulation materials, and higher performance magnetic materials are available on the market. In addition, the evolution of the hardware used in digital control and new powerful power electronic devices represents a constant stimulus to improve the performance of electrical machines and reintroduce electrical machine structures that were not adopted in the past due to technological and technical constraints. As shown in this article, electrical machine design is an evergreen topic, and its importance is rising more each year under the push of more energy-saving requirements and higher-efficiency systems for electromechanical conversion. A green world will not be possible without electrical machines

Modelling and detection of faults in axial-flux permanent magnet machines

The development of various topologies and configurations of axial-flux permanent magnet machine has spurred its use for electromechanical energy conversion in several applications. As it becomes increasingly deployed, effective condition monitoring built on reliable and accurate fault detection techniques is needed to ensure its engineering integrity. Unlike induction machine which has been rigorously investigated for faults, axial-flux permanent magnet machine has not. Thus in this thesis, axial-flux permanent magnet machine is investigated under faulty conditions. Common faults associated with it namely; static eccentricity and interturn short circuit are modelled, and detection techniques are established. The modelling forms a basis for; developing a platform for precise fault replication on a developed experimental test-rig, predicting and analysing fault signatures using both finite element analysis and experimental analysis. In the detection, the motor current signature analysis, vibration analysis and electrical impedance spectroscopy are applied. Attention is paid to fault-feature extraction and fault discrimination. Using both frequency and time-frequency techniques, features are tracked in the line current under steady-state and transient conditions respectively. Results obtained provide rich information on the pattern of fault harmonics. Parametric spectral estimation is also explored as an alternative to the Fourier transform in the steady-state analysis of faulty conditions. It is found to be as effective as the Fourier transform and more amenable to short signal-measurement duration. Vibration analysis is applied in the detection of eccentricities; its efficacy in fault detection is hinged on proper determination of vibratory frequencies and quantification of corresponding tones. This is achieved using analytical formulations and signal processing techniques. Furthermore, the developed fault model is used to assess the influence of cogging torque minimization techniques and rotor topologies in axial-flux permanent magnet machine on current signal in the presence of static eccentricity. The double-sided topology is found to be tolerant to the presence of static eccentricity unlike the single-sided topology due to the opposing effect of the resulting asymmetrical properties of the airgap. The cogging torque minimization techniques do not impair on the established fault detection technique in the single-sided topology. By applying electrical broadband impedance spectroscopy, interturn faults are diagnosed; a high frequency winding model is developed to analyse the impedance-frequency response obtained

Mathematical Models for the Design of Electrical Machines

This book is a comprehensive set of articles reflecting the latest advances and developments in mathematical modeling and the design of electrical machines for different applications. The main models discussed are based on the: i) Maxwell–Fourier method (i.e., the formal resolution of Maxwell’s equations by using the separation of variables method and the Fourier’s series in 2-D or 3-D with a quasi-Cartesian or polar coordinate system); ii) electrical, thermal and magnetic equivalent circuit; iii) hybrid model. In these different papers, the numerical method and the experimental tests have been used as comparisons or validations

Thermal Modeling of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors for Electric Vehicle Application

Permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) is a better choice as a traction motor since it has high power density and high torque capability within compact structure. However, accommodating such high power within compact space is a great challenge, as it is responsible for significant rise of heat in PMSM. As a result, there is considerable increase in operating temperature which in turn negatively affects the electromagnetic performance of the motor. Further, if the temperature rise exceeds the permissible limit, it can cause demagnetization of magnets, damage of insulation, bearing faults, etc. which in turn affect the overall lifecycle of the motor. Therefore, thermal issues need to be dealt with carefully during the design phase of PMSM. Hence, the main focus of this thesis is to develop efficient ways for thermal modeling to address thermal issues properly. Firstly, a universal lumped parameter thermal network (LPTN) is proposed which can be used for all types of PMSMs regardless of any winding configuration and any position of magnets in the rotor. Further, a computationally efficient finite element analysis (FEA) thermal model is proposed with a novel hybrid technique utilizing LPTN strategy for addressing the air gap convection in an efficient way. Both proposed LPTN and FEA thermal models are simplified ways to predict motor temperature with a comparatively less calculation process. Finally, the proposed thermal models have been experimentally validated for the newly designed interior and surface mounted PMSM prototypes. Again, a procedure for effective cooling design process of PMSM has been suggested by developing an algorithm for cooling design optimization of the motor. Further, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model with a proposed two-way electro-thermal co-analysis strategy has been developed to predict both thermal and electromagnetic performance of PMSM more accurately considering the active cooling system. The developed step algorithm and CFD modeling approach will pave the way for future work on cooling design optimization of the newly designed interior and surface mounted PMSM prototypes

Permanent magnet machines for high-speed applications

This paper overviews high-speed permanent magnet (HSPM) machines, accounting for stator structures, winding configurations, rotor constructions, and parasitic effects. Firstly, single-phase and three-phase PM machines are introduced for high-speed applications. Secondly, for three-phase HSPM machines, applications, advantages, and disadvantages of slotted/slotless stator structures, non-overlapping/overlapping winding configurations, different rotor constructions, i.e., interior PM (IPM), surface-mounted PM (SPM), and solid PM, are summarised in detail. Thirdly, parasitic effects due to high-speed operation are presented, including various loss components, rotor dynamic and vibration, and thermal aspects. Overall, three-phase PM machines have no self-starting issues, and exhibit high power density, high efficiency, high critical speed, together with low vibration and noise, which make them a preferred choice for high-performance, high-speed applications

On the Modeling, Analysis and Development of PMSM: For Traction and Charging Application

Permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs) are widely implemented commercially available traction motors owing to their high torque production capability and wide operating speed range. However, to achieve significant electric vehicle (EV) global market infiltration in the coming years, the technological gaps in the technical targets of the traction motor must be addressed towards further improvement of driving range per charge of the vehicle and reduced motor weight and cost. Thus, this thesis focuses on the design and development of a novel high speed traction PMSM with improved torque density, maximized efficiency, reduced torque ripple and increased driving range suitable for both traction and integrated charging applications. First, the required performance targets are determined using a drive cycle based vehicle dynamic model, existing literature and roadmaps for future EVs. An unconventional fractional–slot distributed winding configuration with a coil pitch of 2 is selected for analysis due to their short end–winding length, reduced winding losses and improved torque density. For the chosen baseline topology, a non–dominated sorting genetic algorithm based selection of optimal odd slot numbers is performed for higher torque production and reduced torque ripple. Further, for the selected odd slot–pole combination, a novel star–delta winding configuration is modeled and analyzed using winding function theory for higher torque density, reduced spatial harmonics, reduced torque ripple and machine losses. Thereafter, to analyze the motor performance with control and making critical decisions on inter–dependent design parameter variations for machine optimization, a parametric design approach using a novel coupled magnetic equivalent circuit model and thermal model incorporating current harmonics for fractional–slot wound PMSMs was developed and verified. The developed magnetic circuit model incorporates all machine non–linearities including effects of temperature and induced inverter harmonics as well as the space harmonics in the winding inductances of a fractional–slot winding configuration. Using the proposed model with a pareto ant colony optimization algorithm, an optimal rotor design is obtained to reduce the magnet utilization and obtain maximized torque density and extended operating range. Further, the developed machine structure is also analyzed and verified for integrated charging operation where the machine’s winding inductances are used as line inductors for charging the battery thereby eliminating the requirement of an on–board charger in the powertrain and hence resulting in reduced weight, cost and extended driving range. Finally, a scaled–down prototype of the proposed PMSM is developed and validated with experimental results in terms of machine inductances, torque ripple, torque–power–speed curves and efficiency maps over the operating speed range. Subsequently, understanding the capabilities and challenges of the developed scaled–down prototype, a full–scale design with commercial traction level ratings, will be developed and analyzed using finite element analysis. Further recommendations for design improvement, future work and analysis will also be summarized towards the end of the dissertation