Coupled physics solvers for analysing the magneto‐thermal behaviour of a permanent magnet synchronous machines

Abstract

The aim of this study is to present a thermal analysis of a permanent magnet synchronous machine based on the finite element method. The developed model can be used to predict temperature distribution inside the studied motor during the rated operation. Electromagnetic computation (EM) is carried out with the aid of two 2D finite-element (FE) simulations on the cross-section of the PM motor. To analyse the process of heat transfer (HT) in an electrical machine, empirical correlations are used to describe the convective (HT) from the different surfaces of the PM motor. The (HT) coefficient is determined using dimensionless numbers. The proposed numerical method to solve the coupled problem is based on independently and successively solving the (EM) and thermal problems and then transferring the results between the two sub-problems. The results obtained by the model are compared with experimental results from testing the prototype electric motor.