A Finite Element Model of an Electric Motor with an Unbalanced Rotor for Vibration Data Generation

Abstract

This study proposes a high-fidelity model designed to generate vibration data for an electric motor coupled with an unbalanced rotor. The model predicts vibration response at the motor structure under the rotor fault condition using finite element analysis. First, an electromagnetic model of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) is used to compute the electromagnetic forces affecting both rotor and stator responses. Second, a rotor dynamic model predicts the responses of the rotor considering electromagnetic and unbalanced effects. Finally, the structural response is obtained using a 3D structural PMSM model that integrates electromagnetic and rotor dynamic inputs. Consequently, the combined electromagnetic, rotor dynamic, and structural responses can be predicted with the proposed model. The predicted responses were compared with the measurement data obtained from PMSM vibration experiments to validate the model’s accuracy. The results demonstrated that the proposed model effectively replicates the actual responses of an electric motor, especially when connected to an external unbalanced rotor. This high-fidelity model holds significant potential to augment traditional condition monitoring techniques for rotating machinery.