Multi-physics design optimisation of a GaN-based integrated modular motor drive system

Abstract

Here, a multi-physics approach is presented for the design optimisation of an integrated modular motor drive (IMMD). The system is composed of a modular permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) and a GaN-based modular motor drive power stage. The multi-physics model includes motor drive inverters and DC-link capacitor bank (electrical model), stator windings and rotor magnets (electromagnetic model), heat sink (thermal model), and a geometrical model. The main purpose of the design optimisation is to obtain the highest power density possible, which is quite critical in integrated drives. Due to the integrated structure, the system has several interdependencies and parameters are selected based on those relationships. An 8 kW IMMD system design is proposed from the developed optimisation tool and evaluated. The resultant system has a power density of 0.71 kW/lt, drive efficiency of 98.3%, and motor efficiency of 96.6%.

Keywords

• stators
• permanent magnet motors
• invertors
• rotors
• synchronous motor drives
• gallium compounds
• optimisation
• GaN
• power 8.0 kW
• heat sink
• rotor magnets
• stator windings
• gallium nitride-based modular motor drive power stage
• gallium nitride-based integrated modular motor drive
• IMMD system design
• DC-link capacitor bank
• motor drive inverters
• multiphysics model
• modular permanent magnet synchronous motor
• multiphysics approach
• multiphysics design optimisation
• motor efficiency
• resultant system
• developed optimisation tool
• integrated structure
• integrated drives
• highest power density possible
• geometrical model
• thermal model
• electromagnetic model
• electrical model