Experimental validation of computationally efficient lumped parameter thermal model developed for hybrid excited linear flux switching machine

Abstract

Regarding thermal analysis of electrical machines, Lumped Parameter Thermal Model (LPTM) is preferred over Thermal Finite Element Analysis (TFEA) due to computational efficiency and ease of model formation. In this paper, thermal performance of the proposed Hybrid Excited Linear Flux Switching Machine (HELFSM) is analysed by proposing computationally efficient LPTM based on differential equations. LPTM is established for worst case scenario i.e., locked-primary and MATLAB software is utilized to solve temperature rise equations. Firstly, to define hot spots of proposed machine, thermal analysis results up to steady state maximum temperature under 100% duty cycle are investigated. All three heat flow mechanisms i.e. conduction, convection, and radiation are accounted. Secondly, 75% and 50% duty cycles solutions for the hottest parts of proposed machine are investigated by LPTM. Finally, 3-D Thermal FEA (3DTFEA) is developed to validate results of proposed LPTM, followed by experimental validations utilizing thermographic analysis.

Keywords

• Finite element analysis
• Hybrid excited linear flux switching machine
• Lumped parameter thermal modelling
• Thermal analysis