Purpose Small highly saturated interior permanent magnet- synchronous machines (IPMSMs) show a very nonlinear behaviour. Such machines are mostly controlled with a closed-loop cascade control, which is based on a d-q two-axis dynamic model with constant concentrated parameters to calculate the control parameters. This paper aims to present the identification of a complete current- and rotor position-dependent d-q dynamic model, which is derived by using a finite element method (FEM) simulation. The machine’s constant parameters are determined for an operation on the maximum torque per ampere (MTPA) curve. The obtained MTPA control performance was evaluated on the complete FEM-based nonlinear d-q model. Design/methodology/approach A FEM model was used to determine the nonlinear properties of the complete d-q dynamic model of the IPMSM. Furthermore, a fitting procedure based on the nonlinear MTPA curve is proposed to determine adequate constant parameters for MTPA operation of the IPMSM. Findings The current-dependent d-q dynamic model of the machine models the relevant dynamic behaviour of the complete current- and rotor position-dependent FEM-based d-q dynamic model. The most adequate control response was achieved while using the constant parameters fitted to the nonlinear MTPA curve by using the proposed method. Originality/value The effect on the motor’s steady-state and dynamic behaviour of differently complex d-q dynamic models was evaluated. A workflow to obtain constant set of parameters for the decoupled operation in the MTPA region was developed and their effect on the control response was analysed.

Purpose This paper presents a comparative study of different stator-segmentation topologies of a permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) used in traction drives and their effect on iron losses. Using stator segmentation allows one to achieve more significant copper fill factors, resulting in increased power densities and efficiencies. The segmentation of the stators creates additional air gaps and changes the soft magnetic material’s material properties due to the cut edge effect. The aim of this paper is to present an in-depth analysis of the influence of stator segmentation on iron losses. The main goal was to compare various segmentation methods under equal excitation conditions in terms of their influence on iron loss. Design/methodology/approach A transient finite element method analysis combined with an extended iron-loss model was used to evaluate discussed effects on the stator’s iron losses. The workflow to obtain a homogenized airgap length accounting for cut edge effects was established. Findings The paper concludes that the segmentation in most cases slightly decreases the iron losses in the stator because of the overall reduced magnetic flux density B due to the additional air gaps in the magnetic circuit. An increase of the individual components, as well as total power loss, was observed in the Pole Chain segmentation design. In general, segmentation did not change the total iron losses significantly. However, different segmentation methods resulted in the different distortion of the magnetic field and, consequently, in different iron loss compositions. The analysed segmentation methods exhibited different iron loss behaviour with respect to the operation points of the machine. The final finding is that analysed stator segmentations had a negligible influence on the total iron loss. Therefore, applying segmentation is an adequate measure to improve PMSMs as it enables, e.g. increase of the winding fill factor or simplifying the assembly processes, etc. Originality/value The influence of stator segmentation on iron losses was analysed. An in-depth evaluation was performed to determine how the discussed changes influence the individual iron loss components. A workflow was developed to achieve a computationally cheap homogenized model.