Abstract

One of the main aspects when designing a permanent magnet (PM) generator is to choose suitable PMs, both in terms of achieving the required flux in the generator but also of withstanding high demagnetizing fields, that is, having sufficiently high coercivity. If the coercivity is too low, the magnets are at risk of demagnetizing, fully or partially, at the event of a short circuit and/or an increase in temperature. This study aims to determine the risk of demagnetization for a 12 kW direct driven permanent magnet synchronous generator. Furthermore, as the prices on PMs have increased drastically the last few years the possibility to use smaller and/or cheaper PMs of different grades has been investigated. A new proprietary finite element method (FEM) model has been developed, which is also presented. The study is based on simulations from this FEM model and is focused on NdFeB magnets. Results show that the reference magnet can withstand a two-phase short circuit at both the temperatures tested and in both geometries. The use of cheaper magnets, smaller air gap and in the event of a two-phase short circuit often results in partial irreversible demagnetization. However, magnets with lower coercivity are easier demagnetized.

Abstract

For an open-end windings integrated Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine, the demagnetization of the permanent magnets is analyzed when a transistor is short-circuited and no specific control strategy is adopted. Depending on the temperature, the high currents due to the inverter fault may locally demagnetized the permanent magnets leading to an accelerated aging of the machine and torque loss. A co-simulation, using a Finite Element software for the machine coupled with an average modeling of the transistor, gives interesting local prediction of the machine behavior in healthy and degraded mode. This work has been achieved within the framework of CE2I project. CE2I is co-financed by European Union with the financial support of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), French State and the French Region of Hauts-de-France.