Risk of irreversible magnet demagnetization during short-circuit fault is analyzed in case of an axial-flux dual-rotor machine, using a three-dimensional finite-element method (3D-FEM). In order to validate the numerical model, calculated waveforms of the currents are compared with experimental results for short-circuit at low speeds. Then currents and magnetic flux density inside the magnets are computed for short-circuit at higher speeds in order to predetermine the maximum admissible speed for the machine

HENNERON, Thomas

LOCMENT, Fabrice

PIRIOU, Francis

SEMAIL, Eric

English

International audienceRisk of irreversible magnet demagnetization during short-circuit fault is analyzed in case of an axial-flux dual-rotor machine, using a three-dimensional finite-element method (3D-FEM). In order to validate the numerical model, calculated waveforms of the currents are compared with experimental results for short-circuit at low speeds. Then currents and magnetic flux density inside the magnets are computed for short-circuit at higher speeds in order to predetermine the maximum admissible speed for the machine

Henneron, Thomas

Locment, Fabrice

Semail, Eric

Piriou, Francis

Hal-Diderot

Predetermination of Currents and Field in Short-Circuit Voltage Operation for an Axial-Flux Permanent Magnet Machine

Archive Ouverte en Sciences de l'Information et de la Communication

HENNERON, thomas

LOCMENT, fabrice

PIRIOU, francis

Name not available

Science Arts & Métiers (SAM)is an open access repository that collects the work of Arts et Métiers ParisTechresearchers and makes it freely available over the web where possible.This is an author-deposited version published in: http://sam.ensam.euHandle ID: .http://hdl.handle.net/10985/9261To cite this version :Thomas HENNERON, Fabrice LOCMENT, Eric SEMAIL, Francis PIRIOU - Predetermination ofCurrents and Field in Short-Circuit Voltage Operation for an Axial-Flux Permanent MagnetMachine - In: IEEE Conference on Electromagnetic Field Computation, Greece, 2008-05 -Conference on Electromagnetic Field Computation - 2008Any correspondence concerning this service should be sent to the repositoryAdministrator : archiveouverte@ensam.euPredetermination of Currents and Field in Short-Circuit Voltage Operation for an Axial-Flux Permanent Magnet Machine T. Henneron1, F. Locment2, E. Semail2 and F. Piriou1 1 L2EP, USTL, 59655 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France 2 L2EP, ENSAM, 59046 Lille, France Risk of irreversible magnet demagnetization during short-circuit fault is analyzed in case of an axial-flux dual-rotor machine, using a three-dimensional finite-element method (3D-FEM). In order to validate the numerical model, calculated waveforms of the currents are compared with experimental results for short-circuit at low speeds. Then currents and magnetic flux density inside the magnets are computed for short-circuit at higher speeds in order to predetermine the maximum admissible speed for the machine. Index Terms —  3D Finite Element Method, Short-circuit fault, seven-phase machine, Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Machine, Soft Magnetic Composite. I. INTRODUCTION Fault tolerance of electrical machine is an important issue for embedded systems as offshore wind generators. Permanent Magnet machines with more than three phases are attractive [1][2]. Since they can still work with several open-circuited phases. However, it is also necessary to confirm their ability to withstand short-circuit fault currents without irreversible magnet demagnetization [3]. Besides, new material and geometrical constraints yields interest forward Axial Flux Permanent Magnet synchronous machines (AFPM) [4][5]. The paper tackles with the predetermination of short-circuit currents in a seven-phase AFPM generator with two external rotors and iron-powder stator core. Even if thermal effect of short-circuit current is acceptable, it is necessary to verify that, during the time between the occurrence of a short-circuit fault and the action of the overload protections, irreversible demagnetization of the magnet is not reached. Thus, determination of magnetic flux density inside the magnets is of great interest. In section II, the small scale AFPM prototype, whose three-dimensional characteristics yields a 3D-FEM modeling, is described. In section III, the 3D numerical model that takes into account coupling with external electrical circuit is presented. In section IV, numerical model is validated using experimental results for different cases: without short-circuit; with a short-circuit fault at low speed. Finally, the numerical model is used for determination of short-circuit currents and magnetic flux density in magnets at higher speeds. II. PRESENTATION OF THE MACHINEThe AFPM generator is composed of a stator and two externals six-pole rotors with rare-earth permanent magnets (Fig. 1). Since the magnetic flux paths are in all three directions of the magnetic circuit, a Soft Magnetic Material (SMC) with isotropic magnetic properties has been used for the stator core. The seven phases are obtained with toroidal coils distributed into 42 slots. The two rotors are identical but with an angular shift of 360/84 degrees between them in order to reduce the cogging torque. The spatial magnet repartition implies non-sinusoidal electromotive forces as it is usual for multiphase machines. All these specificities imply that analysis by FEM is necessary. Rated torque value of 65Nm torque is obtained for a 5.1A RMS current, rated power of 5.1kW rated power, for a 750RPM speed. More precise data are given in [6]. Fig. 1. Studied machine For the numerical model, the small shift between the rotors imposes the mesh (791506 tetrahedron elements and 141937 nodes) of one sixth of the machine represented in Fig. 2. MAGNETSROTORSSTATORCOILSFig. 2. One sixth of the seven-phase studied machine (left), whole machine (right) III. NUMERICAL MODELA. Magnetostatic problem Let us consider a domain D of boundary Γ. In the case of magnetostatic problem, the distribution of the magnetic field H and the magnetic field density B is given from the Maxwell’s equations such as: div B = 0     with B.n =0 on ΓB ki71kk∑== NcurlH   with H×n =0   on ΓH (1) (2) with: - Nk the turn density field, 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45 0.5 0.55 0.6-10-50510Time (s)Current (A) i7FEM-Ai7EXP-Ai7FEM-Bi7EXP-BFig. 7. Comparison between numerical and experimental results for the seventh current at 10rad/s 0 5 10 15051015Speed (rad/s)Maximum current (A) i7FEM-Ai7EXP-Ai7FEM-Bi7EXP-BFig. 8. Maximum current in the seventh winding for different speeds B. Study of flux magnetic density inside a permanent magnet  By using a numerical model, it is possible to determine the drop of the magnetic flux density inside the magnet due to the demagnetizing short-circuit currents. In Fig. 9, the magnetic flux density at the center of a permanent magnet, with and without short-circuit fault, is given at 30rad/s. In both cases, the effect of the slots (7 slots for 60°) on the variations of the flux density is obvious. In case B, it appears also the demagnetizing effect of the short-circuit current in two adjacent phases. The two coupled phenomena imply a complex waveform for the magnetic flux density. Nevertheless, it is easy with the obtained results to check that the minimum value that yields irreversible demagnetization is not reached. 120 140 160 180 200 220 2400.50.550.60.650.70.750.80.850.90.951Position (°)(T) BABBFig. 9. Magnetic flux density inside a permanent magnet Fig. 10 presents the variation of the lowest value of the magnetic flux density inside a permanent magnet versus the rotation speed for both studies. In the case of the study B, the magnitude of the short circuit current on the sixth and seventh winding is more important compared to the others windings. 0 5 10 15 20 25 300.50.550.60.650.70.750.80.850.90.951Speed (rad/s)(T) BMIN-ABMIN-BFig. 10. Lowest value of the magnetic flux density inside a permanent magnet V. CONCLUSION The effect of short-circuit currents for an AFPM with two shifted rotors and open slots has been calculated with a 3D-FEM. Comparison of calculated currents with experimental ones in case of short-circuit at low speed has validated the model that has been then used to predetermine the complex magnetic flux density in the center of a magnet. It is thus possible to check that irreversible demagnetization is not reached before the action of the overload protection devices. The numerical model can be still improved by modeling the SMC with non-linear characteristics that becomes necessary at high speeds with high short-circuit currents. REFERENCES [1] E. Levi, R. Bojoi, F. Profumo, H. A. Toliyat, S. Williamson, "Multiphase induction motor drives: a technology status review", IET. [2] Electric Power Applications, Vol. 1, N° 4, July 2007, pp. 489 – 516. [3] K. Gyu-Hong, H. Jin, N. Hyuk, H. Jung-Pyo, K. Gyu-Tak, "Analysis of irreversible magnet demagnetization in line-start motors based on the finite-element method", IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, Vol. 39, n° 3, May 2003, pp. 1488 – 1491. [4] J. F. Gieras, R. Wang, and M. J. Kamper, "Axial Flux Permanent Magnet", Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2004. [5] Y. Chen, P. Pillay, "Axial-flux PM wind generator with a soft magnetic composite core", IEEE Industrial Application Society Congress, Vol. 1, Oct. 2005, pp. 231-237. [6] F. Locment, E. Semail, F. Piriou, "Soft Magnetic Composite Axial Flux Seven-Phase Machine", Proc. of ICEM’06, Chania, (Greece), CD-ROM, Sept. 2006. [7] T. Henneron, S. Clénet, J. Cros, P. Viarouge, "Evaluation of 3D Finite Element Method to study and Design a Soft Magnetic Compostie Machine", IEEE Trans. Magn., vol. 40, no. 2, pp. 786–789, March 2004 [8] A. Bossavit, "A rationale for "edge-elements" in 3-D fields computations", IEEE Trans. Magn., vol. 24, pp. 74–791, Jan. 1988. [9] Y. Le Menach, S. Clénet, F. Piriou, "Numerical model to discretize source fields in the 3D finite element method ", IEEE Trans. Magn., vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 676–679, Jul. 2000. [10] T.W. Preston, A. B. J. Reece, P. S. Sangha,"Induction motor analysis by time-steppingtechniques", IEEE Trans. Magn., vol. 25, no.1, pp.471-474, January 1988.  Manuscript received 5 May, 2008. Corresponding author: T. Henneron. Email: Thomas.henneron@univ-lille1.fr 

HAL Descartes

SAM : Science Arts et Métiers

A rationale for &quot;edge-elements&quot; in 3-D fields computations&quot;,

Analysis of irreversible magnet demagnetization in line-start motors based on the finite-element method&quot;,

Axial Flux Permanent Magnet&quot;,

Axial-flux PM wind generator with a soft magnetic composite core&quot;,

Evaluation of 3D Finite Element Method to study and Design a Soft Magnetic Compostie Machine&quot;,

Multiphase induction motor drives: a technology status review&quot;,

Numerical model to discretize source fields in the 3D finite element method &quot;,

Sangha,&quot;Induction motor analysis by time-steppingtechniques&quot;,

Soft Magnetic Composite Axial Flux Seven-Phase Machine&quot;,

SAM;  the Arts et Métiers ParisTech open access repository

Science Arts & Métiers (SAM)
is an open access repository that collects the work of Arts et Métiers ParisTech
researchers and makes it freely available over the web where possible.
This is an author-deposited version published in: https://sam.ensam.eu
Handle ID: .http://hdl.handle.net/10985/9261
To cite this version :
Thomas HENNERON, Fabrice LOCMENT, Eric SEMAIL, Francis PIRIOU - Predetermination of
Currents and Field in Short-Circuit Voltage Operation for an Axial-Flux Permanent Magnet
Machine - In: IEEE Conference on Electromagnetic Field Computation, Greece, 2008-05 -
Conference on Electromagnetic Field Computation - 2008
Any correspondence concerning this service should be sent to the repository
Administrator : archiveouverte@ensam.eu
Predetermination of Currents and Field in Short-Circuit Voltage 
Operation for an Axial-Flux Permanent Magnet Machine 
T. Henneron1, F. Locment2, E. Semail2 and F. Piriou1 
1 L2EP, USTL, 59655 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France 
2 L2EP, ENSAM, 59046 Lille, France 
Risk of irreversible magnet demagnetization during short-circuit fault is analyzed in case of an axial-flux dual-rotor machine, using 
a three-dimensional finite-element method (3D-FEM). In order to validate the numerical model, calculated waveforms of the currents 
are compared with experimental results for short-circuit at low speeds. Then currents and magnetic flux density inside the magnets 
are computed for short-circuit at higher speeds in order to predetermine the maximum admissible speed for the machine. 
Index Terms —  3D Finite Element Method, Short-circuit fault, seven-phase machine, Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Machine, Soft 
Magnetic Composite. 
I. INTRODUCTION 
Fault tolerance of electrical machine is an important issue 
for embedded systems as offshore wind generators. Permanent 
Magnet machines with more than three phases are attractive 
[1][2]. Since they can still work with several open-circuited 
phases. However, it is also necessary to confirm their ability 
to withstand short-circuit fault currents without irreversible 
magnet demagnetization [3]. Besides, new material and 
geometrical constraints yields interest forward Axial Flux 
Permanent Magnet synchronous machines (AFPM) [4][5]. 
The paper tackles with the predetermination of short-
circuit currents in a seven-phase AFPM generator with two 
external rotors and iron-powder stator core. Even if thermal 
effect of short-circuit current is acceptable, it is necessary to 
verify that, during the time between the occurrence of a short-
circuit fault and the action of the overload protections, 
irreversible demagnetization of the magnet is not reached. 
Thus, determination of magnetic flux density inside the 
magnets is of great interest. 
In section II, the small scale AFPM prototype, whose 
three-dimensional characteristics yields a 3D-FEM modeling, 
is described. In section III, the 3D numerical model that takes 
into account coupling with external electrical circuit is 
presented. In section IV, numerical model is validated using 
experimental results for different cases: without short-circuit; 
with a short-circuit fault at low speed. Finally, the numerical 
model is used for determination of short-circuit currents and 
magnetic flux density in magnets at higher speeds. 
II. PRESENTATION OF THE MACHINE
The AFPM generator is composed of a stator and two 
externals six-pole rotors with rare-earth permanent magnets 
(Fig. 1). Since the magnetic flux paths are in all three 
directions of the magnetic circuit, a Soft Magnetic Material 
(SMC) with isotropic magnetic properties has been used for 
the stator core. The seven phases are obtained with toroidal 
coils distributed into 42 slots. The two rotors are identical but 
with an angular shift of 360/84 degrees between them in order 
to reduce the cogging torque. The spatial magnet repartition 
implies non-sinusoidal electromotive forces as it is usual for 
multiphase machines. All these specificities imply that 
analysis by FEM is necessary. Rated torque value of 65Nm 
torque is obtained for a 5.1A RMS current, rated power of 
5.1kW rated power, for a 750RPM speed. More precise data 
are given in [6]. 
Fig. 1. Studied machine 
For the numerical model, the small shift between the rotors 
imposes the mesh (791506 tetrahedron elements and 141937 
nodes) of one sixth of the machine represented in Fig. 2. 
MAGNETS
ROTORS
STATOR
COILS
Fig. 2. One sixth of the seven-phase studied machine (left), whole machine 
(right) 
III. NUMERICAL MODEL
A. Magnetostatic problem 
Let us consider a domain D of boundary Γ. In the case of 
magnetostatic problem, the distribution of the magnetic field 
H and the magnetic field density B is given from the 
Maxwell’s equations such as: 
div B = 0     with B.n =0 on ΓB 
ki
7
1k
k∑
=
= NcurlH   with H×n =0   on ΓH 
(1) 
(2) 
with: 
- Nk the turn density field, 
0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45 0.5 0.55 0.6
-10
-5
0
5
10
Time (s)
C
ur
re
nt
 (A
)
 
i7
FEM-A
i7
EXP-A
i7
FEM-B
i7
EXP-B
Fig. 7. Comparison between numerical and experimental results for the 
seventh current at 10rad/s 
0 5 10 150
5
10
15
Speed (rad/s)
M
ax
im
um
 c
ur
re
nt
 (A
)
 
i7
FEM-A
i7
EXP-A
i7
FEM-B
i7
EXP-B
Fig. 8. Maximum current in the seventh winding for different speeds 
B. Study of flux magnetic density inside a permanent 
magnet  
By using a numerical model, it is possible to determine the 
drop of the magnetic flux density inside the magnet due to the 
demagnetizing short-circuit currents. In Fig. 9, the magnetic 
flux density at the center of a permanent magnet, with and 
without short-circuit fault, is given at 30rad/s. In both cases, 
the effect of the slots (7 slots for 60°) on the variations of the 
flux density is obvious. In case B, it appears also the 
demagnetizing effect of the short-circuit current in two 
adjacent phases. The two coupled phenomena imply a 
complex waveform for the magnetic flux density. 
Nevertheless, it is easy with the obtained results to check that 
the minimum value that yields irreversible demagnetization is 
not reached. 
120 140 160 180 200 220 2400.5
0.55
0.6
0.65
0.7
0.75
0.8
0.85
0.9
0.95
1
Position (°)
(T
)
 
BA
BB
Fig. 9. Magnetic flux density inside a permanent magnet 
Fig. 10 presents the variation of the lowest value of the 
magnetic flux density inside a permanent magnet versus the 
rotation speed for both studies. In the case of the study B, the 
magnitude of the short circuit current on the sixth and seventh 
winding is more important compared to the others windings. 
0 5 10 15 20 25 300.5
0.55
0.6
0.65
0.7
0.75
0.8
0.85
0.9
0.95
1
Speed (rad/s)
(T
)
 
BMIN-A
BMIN-B
Fig. 10. Lowest value of the magnetic flux density inside a permanent magnet 
V. CONCLUSION 
The effect of short-circuit currents for an AFPM with two 
shifted rotors and open slots has been calculated with a 3D-
FEM. Comparison of calculated currents with experimental 
ones in case of short-circuit at low speed has validated the 
model that has been then used to predetermine the complex 
magnetic flux density in the center of a magnet. It is thus 
possible to check that irreversible demagnetization is not 
reached before the action of the overload protection devices. 
The numerical model can be still improved by modeling the 
SMC with non-linear characteristics that becomes necessary at 
high speeds with high short-circuit currents. 
REFERENCES 
[1] E. Levi, R. Bojoi, F. Profumo, H. A. Toliyat, S. Williamson, 
"Multiphase induction motor drives: a technology status review", IET. 
[2] Electric Power Applications, Vol. 1, N° 4, July 2007, pp. 489 – 516. 
[3] K. Gyu-Hong, H. Jin, N. Hyuk, H. Jung-Pyo, K. Gyu-Tak, "Analysis of 
irreversible magnet demagnetization in line-start motors based on the 
finite-element method", IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, Vol. 39, n° 
3, May 2003, pp. 1488 – 1491. 
[4] J. F. Gieras, R. Wang, and M. J. Kamper, "Axial Flux Permanent 
Magnet", Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2004. 
[5] Y. Chen, P. Pillay, "Axial-flux PM wind generator with a soft magnetic 
composite core", IEEE Industrial Application Society Congress, Vol. 1, 
Oct. 2005, pp. 231-237. 
[6] F. Locment, E. Semail, F. Piriou, "Soft Magnetic Composite Axial Flux 
Seven-Phase Machine", Proc. of ICEM’06, Chania, (Greece), CD-
ROM, Sept. 2006. 
[7] T. Henneron, S. Clénet, J. Cros, P. Viarouge, "Evaluation of 3D Finite 
Element Method to study and Design a Soft Magnetic Compostie 
Machine", IEEE Trans. Magn., vol. 40, no. 2, pp. 786–789, March 2004 
[8] A. Bossavit, "A rationale for "edge-elements" in 3-D fields 
computations", IEEE Trans. Magn., vol. 24, pp. 74–791, Jan. 1988. 
[9] Y. Le Menach, S. Clénet, F. Piriou, "Numerical model to discretize 
source fields in the 3D finite element method ", IEEE Trans. Magn., 
vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 676–679, Jul. 2000. 
[10] T.W. Preston, A. B. J. Reece, P. S. Sangha,"Induction motor analysis by 
time-steppingtechniques", IEEE Trans. Magn., vol. 25, no.1, pp.471-
474, January 1988.  
Manuscript received 5 May, 2008. Corresponding author: T. Henneron. Email: 
Thomas.henneron@univ-lille1.fr 


Predetermination of Currents and Field in Short-Circuit Voltage Operation for an Axial-Flux Permanent Magnet Machine

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Hal-Diderot

Archive Ouverte en Sciences de l'Information et de la Communication

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