Thermal modeling methods for liquid-cooled electric machines by CFD

thermal modeling methods for liquid-cooled electric machines is crucial in predicting maximum power output. In this paper, thermal modeling methods for liquid-cooled electric machines were discussed. In the first time , thermal effects of a water-cooled PMaSRM were analyzed and a thermal model was developed that is able to estimate the temperature distribution with a good accuracy in both the rotor and the winding. The approach proposed for thermal modeling of the winding is based on partial FEA of a single slot. The suggested FE model of the winding is relatively simple , a thermal modeling approach for directly cooled electric machines was proposed. The required CFD simulations in this approach are simple and only basic skills in CFD modeling and heat transfer are needed. In the proposed solutions in this paper, major advantages of LP modeling and numerical methods are exploited by avoiding time-consuming FE or CFD analysis of a complete machine.

Keywords:

PMaSRM , stator heat transfer , thermal analysis , CFD