Stress and coupled electromagnetic-thermal analysis of field excited flux switching machine

Abstract

Purpose Field excited flux switching machines (FEFSM) are preferred over induction and synchronous machines due to the confinement of all excitation sources on the stator leaving a robust rotor. This paper aims to perform coupled electromagnetic thermal analysis and stress analysis for single phase FEFSM as, prolonged high-speed operational time with core and copper losses makes it prone to stress and thermal constraints as temperature rise in machine lead to degraded electromagnetic performance whereas the violation of the principle stress limit may result in mechanical deformation of the rotor. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents the implementation of coupled electromagnetic-thermal and rotor stress analysis on single-phase FEFSM with non-overlap winding configurations using finite element analysis (FEA) methodology in JMAG V. 18.1. three-dimensional (3D) magnetic loss analysis is performed and extended to 3D thermal analysis to predict temperature distribution on various parts of the machine whereas Stress analysis predicts mechanical stress acting upon edges and faces of the rotor. Findings Analysis reveals that temperature distribution and rotor stress on the machine is within acceptable limits. A maximum temperature rise of 37.7°C was noticed at armature and field windings, temperature distribution in stator near pole proximity was 35°C whereas no significant change in rotor temperature was noticed. Furthermore, principal stress at the speed of 3,000 rpm and 30,000 rpm was found out to be 0.0305 MPa 3.045 MPa, respectively. Research limitations/implications The designed machine will be optimized for improvement of electromagnetic performance followed by hardware implementation and experimental testing in the future. Practical implications The model is developed for axial fan applications. Originality/value Thermal analysis is not being implemented on FEFSM for axial fan applications which is an important analysis to ensure the electromagnetic performance of the machine.