The prediction of the thermal behaviour of electric motors in the early stages of their design is a critical factor for reducing time and cost in the design process. In complex machine topologies such as open self-ventilated machines, there are several phenomenas to take into account in order to predict the correct thermal behaviour of the machine. In this study, a thermal model coupled with a hydraulic model is presented. These models provide information of the thermal behaviour of the machine. First, the complete thermal circuit is described, with some emphasis in the specially modelled parts. Then, the heat transfer coefficients for each surface inside the machine are presented, by the use of dimensionless correlations that avoids the need of previous knowledge. Moreover, the hydraulic model of the machine is studied, and also the coupling methodology between the two models is described for both steady state and transient calculations. Finally, the results from the model are validated using the data from two experimental runs, the first one with constant torque and speed, and the other with variable power, in a standardised service cycle, with a difference in the rotor bars and the stator winding below +/- 10 degrees C.

Interest in permanent magnet synchronous machines for safety-critical applications has been increasing over the years. One of the most common methods for providing fault tolerance to a permanent magnet machine is the active control from the drive side. This method requires designing machines with the lowest possible mutual coupling between phases and a self-inductance that is high enough to limit the fault currents. Fractional-slot concentrated windings have been proposed as the most advantageous solution to meet these requirements. When comparing the numerous combinations of phases, poles and slots that give rise to a fractional-slot concentrated winding, the usual criteria only focus on obtaining a single-layer winding and do not actually consider the relationship between the self-inductance and the mutual inductance between phases. Moreover, they give no recommendations regarding the optimal number of phases from a magnetic point of view. The present work aims to cover this gap by obtaining analytical expressions for the calculation of the inductances in a permanent magnet machine. The derived expressions are investigated regardless of the geometry of the machine, and the criteria for selecting the most promising combinations in terms of the machine's fault tolerance are extracted.

In this paper, an analytical method to obtain the magnetic flux in the air gap and the flux densities in surface mounted permanent magnet synchronous machines is described. The particularity of the method, which is based on the magnetic lumped parameter circuit approach, is that it is capable of predicting the magnetic decrease in the air gap due to the cross coupling between the d-axis and the q-axis (cross-magnetizing effect), shifting the angle of the magnetic axis. Moreover, the presented method can also evaluate the local flux density level at the sides of the pole magnets, which is very useful for preventing local magnet demagnetization at load conditions. The methodology is compared with Finite Element Method based simulations, with very good results.

This paper describes an algebraic model for predicting the air flow-rate in the cooling system of an open self-ventilated machine. The method is easily applicable to any type of air-cooled electrical machine. The air flow-rates in different areas of the machine as well as the head losses of the hydraulic system were obtained, and the results were compared with a more detailed model developed with Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) techniques. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis was carried out in order to compare the different topologies of the machine studied

The design process for permanent magnet linear motors (PMLM) is similar to that used for their rotary counterparts. A number of electro-technical equations are used to get the best design for a specific application. Nevertheless, there are two issues that differ from the design of a standard rotary machine that must be considered. The first one is the intrinsic asymmetry of the magnetic circuit, which makes the flux distribution different from pole to pole. The second one is the particular geometry and constraints of the thermal circuit, which is crucial for the design of miniaturize linear motors. This paper presents an analytical method for computing the flux distribution in a surface-mounted PMLM. The method, based on the equivalent magnetic circuit method, considers the saturation of the material, the leakage at the end of the motor and the asymmetrical distribution of the magnetic flux. Additionally, an analytical lumped parameter thermal model for linear drives that gives results for both transient and steady-state temperatures is described. Validation of the models is performed by using Finite Element and Computer Fluid Dynamics software. Finally, both magnetic and thermal circuits have been used to design a miniaturized PMLM to drive a sliding door to experimentally verify its goodness

This paper presents a design of a 30kW 250V/530V bidirectional DC-DC converter to be used in an electrical car. A detailed explanation of the design is given. The system uses two phase shifted half bridge (boost and buck) topologies to reduce the ripple current in the output capacitor. The converter has an efficiency of 95% at nominal power. It works as a constant voltage in one direction and as a constant current in the other to charge the batteries. Simulations and measurement are done at high power to test the efficiency.

This paper presents an analytical method to compute the magnetic flux distribution in spoke interior permanent-magnet (IPM) machines with non-magnetic shaft from no-load to short-circuit conditions. Despite non-magnetic shaft gets significant reduction of the PM leakage flux, this cannot be neglected to calculate correct flux distribution; thus, shaft leakage flux is analyzed and modelled. Moreover, as the demagnetization characteristic of the machine depends on the magnetic circuit, simple mathematical equations to estimate the demagnetization level of the magnets are also given. Based on this approach, protection against demagnetization due to short-circuit current and maximum field-weakening level achievable are easily estimated. The presented formulation and methods are used to optimize the rotor of an IPM machine in order to maximize the electromagnetic torque (30% higher), minimize the amount of PM material, and protect PMS against demagnetization under field-weakening and short-circuit conditions. Analytical results are compared with finite-element software, showing errors lower than 4% in the no-load magnetic circuit and lower than 12% at short-circuit conditions. Presented formulation and methods have very low computation time, so the design process time of spoke IPM machines is significantly reduced. The proposed analytical approach is also applicable to other PM machines.