Numerical Investigation into Thermal Behavior of Brushless Permanent Magnet Motors

Abstract:

The performance of brushless permanent magnet motor for electric vehicle applications is simulated by commercial CFD codes Fluent 6.3. It is difficult to model motor winding area and to well pose the motor external boundary conditions for using CFD method. A possible approach to simplify the thermal resistance computation is to use an empirical equivalent thermal conductivity of the system winding impregnation and insulation. The empirical equivalent thermal conductivity is case sensitive and regressed in the experiment. The same is true for the boundary condition of motor. In this paper, we proposed a new model to compute equivalent thermal conductivity and overcome the above problem. This model takes advantage of the packing bed heat transfer model proposed by Zehner and Schlünder. Besides, the boundary conditions are also obtained by the numerical experiments. The validity of CFD method using in the present paper is validated utilizing the experimental data. The numerical data are concurred with the experimental data. As a result, the CFD method is shown to be a feasible method for modern thermal design for brushless permanent magnet motor.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 199-200)
• Pages: 1518-1522
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.199-200.1518
• Online since: February 2011
• Authors: Lung Ming Fu, Chiufeng Lin, Chin Lung Chang, Jenhao Chang, Chien Hsiung Tsai
• Keywords: Brushless Permanent Magnet Motor, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Thermal

References

[1] D.G. Dorrell, D.A. Staton, M.I. McGilp, Design of Brushless Permanent Magnet Motors - A Combined Electromagnetic andThermal Approach to High Performance Specification, IEEE, 2006, pp.4853-485.

DOI: 10.1109/iecon.2006.348105

[2] D.A. Staton, S. Pickering, D. Lampard, Recent Advancement in the Thermal Design of Electric Motors, Emerging Technologies for Electric Motion Industry, Durham, North Carolina, USA, (2001).

[3] A. Boglietti, A. Cavagnino, and D.A. Staton, Induction Motors Thrmal Models: A Parameter Sensitivity Analysis. IEEE Transactions on Inductrial Applications, Vol. 41, No. 3, 2005, pp.756-763.

DOI: 10.1109/tia.2005.847311

[4] Christopher Micallef, End Winding Cooling in Electric Machines, University of Nottingham, PhD Thesis, (2006).

[5] S.J. Pickering, D. Lampard, N. Hay, and T.F. Roylance, Heat Transfer from the Stator End-windings of a Low Voltage Concentric-wound Induction Motor, IEEE Conference Publication, No. 412, 1995. pp.477-481.

DOI: 10.1615/ihtc10.2570

[6] K. Takahashi, H. Kuwahara, K. Kajiwara, and T, Obata, Airflow and Thermal Conductance in a Totally Enclosed Induction Motor. Heat Transfer - Asian Research, Vol. 31, No. 1, 2002. pp.7-20.

DOI: 10.1002/htj.10010

[7] Y. Huai, R. V.N. Melnik, P.B. Thogersen, Computational Analysis of Temperature Rise Phenomena in Electric Induction Motors, Applied Thermal Engineering Vol: 23, 2003, pp.779-795.

DOI: 10.1016/s1359-4311(03)00013-9

[8] A. Boglietti, A. Cavagnino, D. Staton, M. Shanel, M. Mueller, C. Mejuto, Evolution and Modern Approaches for Thermal　Analysis of Electrical Machines IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS, Vol. 56, No. 3, 2009, pp.871-882.

DOI: 10.1109/tie.2008.2011622

[9] Fluent Inc. FLUENT 6. 3 User's Guide. (2006).

[10] J.A.M. Kuipers, W. Prins, and W.P.M. Swaaij, Numerical Calculation of Wall-to-bed Heat Transfer Coefficients in Gas-fluidized Beds, AIChE Journal, Vol. 38, No. 7, 1992, pp.1079-1091.

DOI: 10.1002/aic.690380711