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Today's brushless permanent magnet (PM) drive systems usually adopt motors including the advancements in magnet technology, e.g. better thermal characteristics and higher magnetic strength. By this means, they become capable in the roughest applications yet maintain a high accuracy at competitive prices. These drive systems are not only appreciated for their high performance, but they are also advantageous for the applications requiring tough, dependable, and continuous‐duty operations, e.g. hybrid or complete electrical vehicles, extruders, wire drawers, winders, cranes, conveyors, and roll formers. The purpose of this paper is to provide an extended comparative study of the different motor configurations for the hybrid electric drive application, aiming at a compromise between high power density and extended speed capability.

To suit strict design requirements, such as the very limited volumetric envelope, high‐output power, wide constant power speed range, and pre‐selected in‐direct cooling system, the constraint variants of possible motor types are researched.

Considerably, high torque density and an extended speed range limit the options of PM rotor configurations for this motor design. The considered rotor configurations are the surface PM (SPM) and interior PM (IPM) types. The advantage of the (non‐salient) SPM configuration is its applicability with higher levels of magnetic flux densities without causing significant saturation in the rotor. On the other hand, an IPM rotor, which places the magnets in special rotor slots, open or closed (by saturation bridges), can operate on both the reluctance torque and the magnet alignment torque. This generally leads to a better performance in a wide speed range. However, this advantage can be eliminated by severe iron saturation resulting from the required high‐specific power.

The most appropriate rotor configuration will finally be selected between the two considered types, depending on detailed electromagnetic and thermal analysis. This paper usefully studies the correlation between the motor parameters required for high power density and field‐weakening performance.

The purpose of this paper is to analytically predict the on-load field distribution and electromagnetic performance (induced voltage, electromagnetic torque, winding inductances and unbalanced magnetic force) of dual-stator consequent-pole permanent magnet (DSCPPM) machines using subdomain model accounting for tooth-tip effect. The finite element (FE) results are presented to validate the accuracy of this subdomain model.

During the preliminary design and optimization of DSCPPM machines, FE method requires numerous computational resources and can be especially time-consuming. Thus, a subdomain model considering the tooth-tip effect is presented in this paper. The whole field domain is divided into four different types of sub-regions, where the analytical solutions of vector potential in each sub-region can be rapidly calculated. The proposed subdomain model can accurately predict the on-load flux density distributions and electromagnetic performance of DSCPPM machines, which is verified by FE method.

The radial and tangential components of flux densities in each sub-region of DSCPPM machine can be obtained according to the vector potential distribution, which is calculated based on the boundary and interface conditions using variable separation approach. The tooth-tip effect is investigated as well. Moreover, the phase-induced voltage, winding inductances, electromagnetic torque and X-axis/Y-axis components of unbalanced magnetic forces are calculated and compared by FE analysis, where excellent agreements are consistently exhibited.

The on-load field distributions and electromagnetic performance of DSCPPM machines are analytically investigated using subdomain method, which can be beneficial in the process of initial design and optimization for such DSCPPM machines.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the magnetic forces generated by a 12 slot/10 pole concentrated winding PM machines, considering a comparative study between two topologies: a surface mounted permanent magnet (SPM) machine and an interior PM (IPM) machine.

Following a description of the main characteristics of the concentrated winding permanent magnet machines (CWPMMs) under comparison, an investigation of the magnetic forces developed by both machines under study is carried out using finite element analysis (FEA).

A 2D FEA-based investigation has highlighted that the SPM machine develops higher magnetic forces than the IPM one. However, and following a 3D FEA, it has been found that the distribution of the magnetic forces along the air gap of the SPM machine is almost homogenous while it is concentrated in two opposite positions in the air gap of the IPM machine.

This work has treated almost all features of the machines under comparison, except the power losses. These should be investigated with emphasis on the PM eddy current losses is so far as the harmonic content of the armature air gap MMF is high.

The list of the selection criteria of CWPMMs should be extended to the magnetic force cancellation in order to fulfill the requirements of many applications such as the automotive ones.

The paper proposes a combined electromagnetic-mechanical approach to investigate the magnetic forces generated by CWPMMs using 2D and 3D FEA.

Fractional slot permanent magnet (PM) brushless machines having concentrated non‐overlapping windings have been the subject of research over last few years. They have already been employed in the commercial hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) due to high‐torque density, high efficiency, low‐torque ripple, good flux‐weakening and fault‐tolerance performance. The purpose of this paper is to overview recent development and research challenges in such machines in terms of various structural and design features for electric vehicle (EV)/HEV applications.

In the paper, fractional slot PM brushless machines are overviewed according to the following main and sub‐topics: first, machine topologies: slot and pole number combinations, all and alternate teeth wound (double‐ and single‐layer windings), unequal tooth structure, modular stator, interior magnet rotor; second, machine parameters and control performance: winding inductances, flux‐weakening capability, fault‐tolerant performance; and third, parasitic effects: cogging torque, iron loss, rotor eddy current loss, unbalanced magnetic force, acoustic noise and vibration.

Many fractional slot PM machine topologies exist. Owing to rich mmf harmonics, fractional slot PM brushless machines exhibit relatively high rotor eddy current loss, potentially high unbalanced magnetic force and acoustic noise and vibration, while the reluctance torque component is relatively low or even negligible when an interior PM rotor is employed.

This is the first overview paper which systematically reviews the recent development and research challenges in fractional‐slot PM machines. It summarizes their various structural and design features for EV/HEV applications.

The purpose of this paper is to minimize the optimization parameter number of synchronous reluctance machine (SynRM) and permanent magnet (PM) assisted SynRM, and compare their relative merits with interior permanent magnet (IPM) machine for electric vehicle applications, in terms of electromagnetic performance and material cost.

The analysis of electromagnetic performance is based on finite element analysis, by using software MAXWELL. The genetic algorithm is utilized for optimization.

The rotor design of SynRM can be significantly simplified by imposing some reasonable conditions. The number of rotor design parameters can be reduced to three. The electromagnetic performance of SynRM is much poorer than that of IPM, although the material cost is much cheaper, approximately one-third of IPM. The ferrite-SynRM is competitive and even better than IPM especially for high electric loading, in terms of torque capability, torque-speed characteristic, power factor, threshold speed and efficiency. In addition, ferrite-assisted SynRM has great advantage over IPM in material cost, 55 percent cheaper. The performance of NdFeB-assisted SynRM is close to IPM in terms of torque capability, torque-speed characteristic, power factor, torque ripple and efficiency. The material cost of NdFeB-assisted SynRM is ∼25 percent lower than IPM.

Some conditions, which can simplify the optimization of SynRM rotor, are discussed. The electromagnetic performances and material costs of SynRM, ferrite-assisted, NdFeB-assisted SynRMs and IPM are quantitatively compared and discussed.

Topology optimization (TO) methods have shown their unique advantage in the innovative design of electric machines. However, when introducing the TO method to the rotor design of interior permanent magnet (PM) synchronous machines (IPMSMs), the layout parameters of the magnet cannot be synchronously optimized with the topology of the air barrier; the full design potential, thus, cannot be unlocked. The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel method in which the layout parameters PMs and the topology of air barriers can be optimized simultaneously for aiding the innovative design of IPMSMs.

This paper presents a simultaneous TO and parameter optimization (PO) method that is applicable to the innovative design of IPMSMs. In this method, the mesh deformation technique is introduced to make it possible to make a connection between the TO and PO, and the multimodal optimization problem can thereby be solved more efficiently because good topological features are inherited during iterative optimization.

The numerical results of two case studies show that the proposed method can find better Pareto fronts than the traditional TO method within comparable time-consuming. As the optimal design result, novel rotor structures with better torque profiles and higher reluctance torque are respectively found.

A method that can simultaneously optimize the topology and parameter variables for the design of IPMSMs is proposed. The numerical results show that the proposed method is useful and practical for the conceptual and innovative design of IPMSMs because it can automatically explore optimal rotor structures from the full design space without relying on the experience and knowledge of the engineer.

The purpose of this paper is to present the optimal design of a low-cost interior permanent magnet (IPM) alternating current (AC) motor. It examines the influence of the permanent magnet (PM) materials, and proposes a simple and practical method of optimizing the air-gap field to achieve sinusoidal back electromotive force (EMF), and to reduce the cogging torque.

IPM AC motors with different magnet materials and various topologies are comparatively studied. Finite element method (FEM) is used to predict the performances of these designs. Material costs and manufacture costs are both taken into account. Finally, an optimized design is prototyped and tested, validating the design considerations.

In an IPM AC motor, even if the rotor outer profile is round, the air-gap field distribution can be fined, while the cogging torque can be significantly reduced, by properly shaping the stator tooth tips. Nevertheless, this technique is usually applicable to motor configurations with concentrated windings, but not to those with distributed windings.

While using ferrite magnets for PM AC motors with a kW power, interior magnets are usually inserted in V-shaped slots, and the rotor outer profile is often shaped in order to enhance the air-gap field distribution. However, such a rotor configuration usually increases the manufacture costs, and also deteriorates the consistency of mass production. Therefore, a new motor configuration with a round rotor outer profile and shaped stator tooth tips is proposed. It can not only overcome the aforementioned problems, but also improve the motor performance.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparison of synchronous permanent magnet machine types for wide constant power speed range operation.

A combination of analytical models and finite element analysis is used to conduct this study.

The paper has presented a detailed comparison between various types of synchronous PM machines for applications requiring a wide speed range of constant‐power operation. Key observations include: surface permanent magnet (SPM) and interior permanent magnet (IPM) machines can both be designed to achieve wide speed ranges of constant‐power operation. SPM machines with fractional‐slot concentrated windings offer opportunities to minimize machine volume and mass because of their short winding end turns and techniques for achieving high‐slot fill factors via stator pole segmentation. High back‐emf voltage at elevated speeds is a particular issue for SPM machines, but also poses problems for IPM machine designs when tight maximum limits are applied. Magnet eddy‐current losses pose a bigger design issue for SPM machines, but design techniques can be applied to significantly reduce the magnitude of these losses. Additional calculations not included here suggest that the performance characteristics of the inverters accompanying each of the four PM machines are quite similar, despite the differences in machine pole number and electrical frequency.

The paper is targeting traction applications where a very wide speed range of constant‐power operation is required.

Results presented are intended to provide useful guidelines for engineers faced with choosing the most appropriate PM machine for high‐constant power speed ratio applications. As in most real‐world drive design exercises, the choice of PM machine type involves several trade‐offs that must be carefully evaluated for each specific application.

The paper provides a comprehensive comparison between different types of synchronous PM machines, which is very useful in determining the most suitable type for various applications.

The impact of the loop current (LC) on the motor magnetic field in the analysis of the inter-turn short circuit (ITSC) fault is always ignored. This paper made a comparative study on the electromagnetic field of permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM). The purpose of this study is to explore the necessary of the LC existing in the fault analysis and the electromagnetic characteristics of the PMSM with the ITSC fault when taking into account the LC.

Based on the finite element method (FEM), the fault model was established, and the magnetic density of the fault condition was analyzed. The induced electromotive force (EMF) and the LC of the short circuit ring were studied. The three-phase induced EMF and the unbalance of the three-phase current under the fault condition were studied. Finally, a prototype test platform was built to obtain the data of the fault.

The influence of the fault on the magnetic density was obtained. The current phase lag when the ITSC fault occurs causes the magnetic enhancement of the armature reaction. The mechanism that LC hinders the flux change was revealed. The influence of the fault on the three-phase-induced EMF symmetry, the three-phase current balance and the loss was obtained.

The value of the LC in the short circuit ring and the influence of it on the motor electromagnetic field were obtained. On the basis of the electromagnetic field calculation model, the sensitivity of the LC to the magnetic density, induced EMF, current and loss were analyzed.

The purpose of this paper is to present optimally designed synchronous reluctance machine (SynRM) to demonstrate the feasibility of eliminating the use of rare earth permanent magnet (PM) in electric machine for vehicle traction applications.

A typical rare earth interior permanent magnet (IPM) machine is used as the benchmark to conduct the optimal design study. Based on the flux distribution, major changes are made to the rotor lamination design. Enhanced torque production and lower torque ripple are specifically targeted as the two main objectives of the proposed design approach.

As a result, the optimally designed SynRM can achieve performance very close to that of the benchmark PM machine with a potential for further improvement.

Discussions of IPM replacement by optimally designed SynRM in electrical and hybrid electrical vehicles are given in terms of performance and cost.