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In many high-speed electrical machines, centrifugal forces within the rotor can be first-order constraints on electromagnetic optimization. This can be particularly acute in interior permanent magnet (IPM) machines in which magnets are usually retained entirely by the rotor core with no additional mechanical containment. This study investigates the nature of the trade-off between mechanical and electromagnetic requirements within the context of an eight-pole, 100 kW IPM machine with a base speed of 4000 rpm and an extended speed range up to 12,000 rpm. A series of mechanical and electromagnetic models are used to estimate the level of shaft interference, mechanical stress in critical regions of the rotor and the impact of various features and dimensions within the machine on electromagnetic torque. A systematic exploration of the design space is undertaken for rotor diameters from 120 mm to 180 mm, with optimal designs in terms of torque per unit length established at each diameter while meeting the constraints imposed on mechanical stress. The final preferred design has a rotor of 165 mm and an axial length of 103 mm long with a fractional slot winding in a 30-slot stator. The overall machine has an active mass of 42.3 kg, which corresponds to ~2.4 kW/kg. This paper describes the optimization study in detail and draws on the results to explore the nature of the design trade-offs in such rotors and the impact of core properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This manuscript discusses the operation of an electrically driven fan for a hybrid-electric propulsion system for BAe-146 aircraft. The thrust requirement is fed into an integrated cycle and aerodynamic design tool for the sizing of a ducted fan as one of the main propulsors, podded under the wing as a replacement for a turbofan engine. The electric motor design is initiated with the torque and speed requirements and with the dimensional constraints arising from the driven fan geometry. The fan operation and aerodynamic design are derived by changing the fan pressure ratio and hub-to-tip ratio to obtain a 2-D design space. Surface-mounted permanent magnet electric motor designs are mapped on the 2-D fan design space. The design and operational flexibility of the system is investigated through three scenarios. In the first scenario, the aircraft rate of climb is changed to downsize the electric motor. In the second scenario, the electric motor rated frequency is changed to increase the power density and in the third scenario the electric motor current density is changed for the same purpose. The investigated three scenarios provide design and operational guidelines for reducing the weight of the electric motor for a direct drive application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new analytical torque model based on dq0-axis frame has been developed for 3-phase, 12-slot/8-pole single layer doubly salient synchronous reluctance machines. This newly developed torque model, compared to the one often based on abc-axis frame, is necessary to simplify the investigation of dynamic performance such as torque–speed curve and efficiency maps. It has been found that the third-order current harmonic injection not only improves the torque performance (increased average torque and reduced torque ripple) in constant torque region but also maintains a similar torque level as the fundamental current supply in the flux weakening region. Moreover, although the fifth- and seventh-order current harmonic injection can reduce the torque ripple of machine, their dynamic performances are compromised due to low average torque and significant voltage distortion. Finite element simulations and dynamic tests have been carried out to prove the accuracy of the developed torque model and also the efficiency of the proposed current harmonic injection method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the influence of rotor topologies and winding configurations on the electromagnetic performance of three‐phase synchronous reluctance machines (SynRM) with different slot/pole number combinations, e.g. 12‐slot/4‐pole and 12‐slot/8‐pole. Transversally laminated synchronous reluctance rotors with both round flux barrier and angled flux barrier have been considered, as well as the doubly salient (DS) rotor as that used in switched reluctance machines. Both concentrated and distributed winding configurations are accounted for, i.e. single‐layer and double‐layer conventional and mutually coupled windings, as well as fully pitched winding. The machine performance in terms of d‐ and q‐axis inductances, on‐load torque, copper loss, and iron loss have been investigated using 2D finite‐element analysis. With appropriate rotor topology, 12‐slot/4‐pole and 12‐slot/8‐pole machines with fully pitched and double‐layer mutually coupled windings can achieve similar torque capacity, which are higher than the machines with other winding configurations. In addition, the synchronous reluctance machine with round flux barrier can have lower iron loss than DS reluctance machine under different working conditions. The prototypes of 12‐slot/8‐pole single layer and double layer, DS SynRM have been built to validate the predictions in terms of inductances and torques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]