Cooling Strategy Optimization of a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor

Abstract

In this study, 250 kW, 9 phase, outer rotor types of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) are taken into consideration. To optimize the cooling efficiency of the motor, firstly, the motor geometry is obtained, and the e-magnetic model of the geometry is validated with the manufacturer`s data. Secondly, by using the validated e-magnetic model, the cooling system of the motor was analyzed by using the thermal model of the Motor-CAD. The thermal model is also validated with the real-time experiments which are held on an electric bus at constant speed experimentally. For finding the best cooling strategy for the motor, after validation, the effect of the mass flow rate, the type of the cooling refrigerant, the cooling pipe diameter size, and the change of torque are analyzed on the validated model. The results showed us that mass flow rate and torque have a significant effect on winding temperature, and the Taguchi method showed that [mass flow rate (A)=50 l/min, pipe diameter (B) = 17.7 mm, number of turns (C)=20, type of fluid (D)= EGW50/50, torque (E)=2000 Nm] is the best cooling design parameters for the cooling strategy of the considered PMSM.