Air-cooling of a hollow high-speed permanent magnet rotor

Peter H. Connor, Antonino La Rocca, Zeyuan Xu, Michele Degano, Carol N. Eastwick, Steve J. Pickering, Chris Gerada

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper presents a computational fluid dynamics conjugate heat transfer analysis of internal and external cooling paths for a hollow high-speed permanent magnet rotor. Extracting magnet losses from high-speed permanent magnet rotors is challenging, due to the thermal limits of magnets and composite magnet retention sleeves. This paper proposes the use of internal and external air-cooling paths through the hollow rotor and airgap, respectively. Component temperatures with respect to these cooling paths are investigated. The balance of interactions between the internal, external and component temperatures is complex and is best solved using computational fluid dynamics. The passing of cooling air through and outside the rotor improves the cooling of components. However, there are limits, as forcing progressively more air through the airgap is shown to eventually cause a net heating of the rotor, due to fluid viscous heating effects. Differences in modelling temperature dependent fluid properties is explored and shown to make an important difference when designing machines to maximize their material thermal capabilities.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2019 IEEE International Electric Machines and Drives Conference, IEMDC 2019
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages1216-1221
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781538693490
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2019
Event11th IEEE International Electric Machines and Drives Conference, IEMDC 2019 - San Diego, United States
Duration: 12 May 201915 May 2019

Publication series

Name2019 IEEE International Electric Machines and Drives Conference, IEMDC 2019

Conference

Conference11th IEEE International Electric Machines and Drives Conference, IEMDC 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego
Period12/05/1915/05/19

Keywords

  • CFD
  • Cooling
  • Electrical machine
  • Heat transfer
  • Losses
  • Permanent magnet
  • Thermal modelling

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

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