A Model of Magnetic Field and Braking Torque in Liquid-Cooled Permanent-Magnet Retarder Accounting for the Skin Effect on Permeability.

Braking torque is the most important performance parameter for a permanent magnet retarder used in heavy vehicles. This paper proposes a model of the permanent magnet retarder for braking torque at different speeds considering the skin effect, the magnetic leakage, and the actual path of the eddy currents. Based on the magnetic equivalent circuit and the piecewise function method, the static and the transient air-gap flux density models are established, and their accuracy is verified by comparison to the finite element method (FEM). The permeability distribution curve of the retarder stator is obtained by a simple permeability-measuring instrument, considering the skin effect on the permeability of the stator. Thus, the effective permeability function of the stator is obtained at different rotational speeds, and the transient air-gap flux density model is optimized using the effective permeability function. The simulation results showed that the optimized transient air-gap flux density of the calculation model was in good agreement with the FEM. Finally, the calculation model of the eddy current braking torque was verified by the bench test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]