Inputs

Introduction

The total number of user inputs is equal to 14.

Among these inputs, 7 are standard inputs and 7 are advanced inputs .

Standard inputs

Modes of computation

There are two modes of computation.

The “Fast” computation mode is the default one. It corresponds to a hybrid model, which is perfectly suited for the pre-design step. Indeed, all the computations in the back end are based on magnetostatic finite element computations associated to Park transformation. It evaluates the electromagnetic quantities with the best compromise between accuracy and computation time to explore the space of solutions quickly and easily.

The “Accurate” computation mode allows solving the computation with transient magnetic finite element modeling . This mode of computation is perfectly suited to the final design step because it allows getting more accurate results. It also computes additional quantities like the AC losses in winding and rotor iron losses.

Field current definition mode

There are two common ways to define the electrical current.

Electrical current can be defined by the current density in electric conductors.

In this case, the current definition mode should be « Density ».

Electrical current can be defined directly by indicating the value of the line current (the RMS value is required) and field current (AC value).

In this case, the current definition mode should be « Current ».

Field current

When the choice of current definition mode is “Current”, the DC value of the current supplied to the field winding: “Field current” (Current in Field conductors) must be provided.

Field current density

When the choice of current definition mode is “Density”, the DC value of the current density in electric conductors “Field current density” (Current density in Field conductors) must be provided.
Note: The number of parallel paths is automatically considered in the results.

Current definition mode

There are two common ways to define the electrical current.

Electrical current can be defined by the current density in electric conductors.

In this case, the current definition mode should be « Density ».

Electrical current can be defined directly by indicating the value of the line current (the rms value is required).

In this case, the current definition mode should be « Current ».

Line current, rms

When the choice of current definition mode is “Density”, the rms value of the current density in electric conductors “Current density, rms” (Current density in conductors, rms value) must be provided.
Note: The number of parallel paths and the winding connection are automatically considered in the results.

Control angle

Considering the vector diagram shown below, the “Control angle” is the angle between the electromotive force (E) and the electrical current (J) (Ψ = angle (E, J)).

The default value is 45 degrees. It is an electrical angle. It must be set in a range of -180 to 180 degrees.

This range of values covers all the possible working points in the motor convention. The operating mode is displayed at the head of the results.
Note: The sign of results like power depends on both the convention and the operating mode.
Definition of the control angle Ψ - Motor convention

AC losses analysis

The “AC losses analysis” (AC losses analysis is required only while “Accurate” computation mode is selected) allows computing or not AC losses in armature winding. There are three available options:

None: AC losses are not computed. However, as the computation mode is “Accurate”, a transient computation is performed without representing the solid conductors (wires) inside the slots. Phases are modeled with coil regions. Thus, the mesh density (number of nodes) is lower, which leads to a lower computation time.

FE-One phase: AC losses are computed with only one phase modeled with solid conductors (wires) inside the slots. The other two phases are modeled with coil regions. Thus, AC losses in winding are computed with a lower computation time than if all the phases were modeled with solid conductors. However, this can have a little impact on the accuracy of the results because we have supposed that the magnetic field is not impacted by the modeling assumption.

FE-All phase: AC losses are computed, with all phases modeled with solid conductors (wires) inside the slots. This computation method gives the best results in terms of accuracy, but with a higher computation time.

FE-Hybrid: AC losses in winding are computed without representing the wires (strands, solid conductors) inside the slots.

Since the location of each wire is accurately defined in the winding environment, sensors evaluate the evolution of the flux density close to each wire. Then, a postprocessing based on analytical approaches computes the resulting current density inside the conductors and the corresponding Joule losses.

The wire topology can be “Circular” or “Rectangular”.

There can be one or several wires in parallel (in hand) in a conductor (per turn).

This method leads to quite accurate results with a lower computation time. This is a good compromise between accuracy and computation time.
Warning: With the “FE-Hybrid” option, the accuracy of results is good, especially when the wire size is small (let’s say a wire diameter lower than 2.5 mm). However, this can have a little impact on the accuracy of the results because we have supposed that the magnetic field is not impacted by the modeling assumption.
Note: With the FE-Hybrid option, the recommended “Number of computed electrical periods” is equal to “1/2” whereas two computed electrical periods are needed for the “FE-One phase” and “FE-All phase” options.Indeed, when solid conductors are represented in the Finite Element model (like with the FE-One phase and FE-All phase options), there are transient phenomena to consider, which leads to increase the “Number of computed electrical periods” to reach the steady state.With the “FE-Hybrid option”, the transient phenomena are handled by the analytical model, so it is not necessary to increase the “Number of computed electrical periods” compared to a study with “None” options (without AC losses computation).

Speed

The imposed “Speed” (Speed) of the machine must be set.

Ripple torque analysis

The “Ripple torque analysis” (Additional analysis on ripple torque period: Yes / No) allows to compute or not the value of the ripple torque and to display the corresponding torque versus the angular position over the ripple torque period.

The default value is “No”.
Note:
  • This choice influences the accuracy of results and the computation time. The magnitude of the ripple torque is calculated. This additional computation needs additional computation time.
  • In the case of “Yes”, the ripple torque is computed. Then, the flux density in regions is evaluated through the ripple torque computation.
  • In the case of “No”, the ripple torque is not computed.Then, the flux density in regions is evaluated by considering the Park’s model computation.

Advanced inputs

Number of computed electrical periods

The user input “No. computed elec. periods” (Number of computed electrical periods only required with “Accurate” computation mode) influences the accuracy of results, especially in the case of AC losses computation. Indeed, with represented conductors (AC losses analysis set to “FE - One phase” or “FE - All phase”) the computation may lead to transient current evolution in wires, requiring more than an electrical period of simulation to reach the steady state over an electrical period.

The default value is equal to 2. The minimum allowed value is 0.5 (recommended with AC losses analysis set to “None”). The default value provides a good compromise between the accuracy of results and computation time.

Number of points per electrical period

The user input “No. points / electrical period” (Number of points per electrical period required only with “Accurate” computation mode) influences the accuracy of results (computation of the peak-peak ripple torque, iron losses, AC losses…) and the computation time.

The default value is equal to 40. The minimum recommended value is 20. The default value provides a good balance between accuracy of results and computation time.

Number of computations per ripple torque period

The number of computations per ripple torque period is considered when the user has chosen to perform a “Ripple torque analysis” (i.e., answered “Yes” to the standard input “Ripple torque analysis” required only with “Fast” computation mode).

The user input “No. comp. / ripple period” (Number of computations per ripple torque period) influences the accuracy of the results (computation of the peak-peak ripple torque) and the computation time.

The default value is equal to 30. The minimum allowed value is 25. The default value provides a good balance between the accuracy of results and computation time.
Definition of the number of computations per ripple torque period

Rotor initial position

By default, the “Rotor initial position” is set to “Auto”.

When the “Rotor initial position mode” is set to “Auto”, the initial position of the rotor is automatically defined by an internal process of FluxMotor®. The resulting relative angular position corresponds to the alignment between the axis of armature phase 1 (reference phase) and the direct axis of the salient pole.

When the “Rotor initial position” is set to “User input” (i.e., the toggle button on the right), the initial position of the rotor to be considered for computation must be set by the user in the field « Rotor initial position ». The default value is equal to 0. The range of possible values is [-360, 360]. For more details, please refer to the document: MotorFactory_SMWF_ISP_IR_3PH_Test_Introduction – section “Rotor and armature relative position”.

Skew model – Number of layers

When the rotor magnets or the armature slots are skewed, the number of layers used in Flux® Skew environment to model the machine can be modified: “Skew model - No. of layers” (Number of layers for modeling the skewing in Flux® Skew environment).

Mesh order

To get the results, the original computation is performed using a Finite Element Modeling.

Two levels of meshing can be considered for this finite element calculation: first order and second order.

This parameter influences the accuracy of results and the computation time.

By default, a second order mesh is used.

Airgap mesh coefficient

The advanced user input “Airgap mesh coefficient” is a coefficient that adjusts the size of mesh elements inside the airgap. When the value of the “Airgap mesh coefficient” decreases, the mesh elements get smaller, leading to a higher mesh density inside the airgap and increasing the computation accuracy.

The imposed Mesh Point (size of mesh elements touching the points of the geometry), inside the Flux® software, is described as:

Mesh Point = (airgap) x (airgap mesh coefficient)

Airgap mesh coefficient is set to 1.5 by default.

The variation range of values for this parameter is [0.05; 2].

0.05 gives a very high mesh density and 2 gives a very coarse mesh density.
CAUTION: Be aware, a very high mesh density does not always mean a better result quality. However, this always leads to the formation of a huge number of nodes in the corresponding finite element model. So, it means a need of huge numerical memory and increases the computation time considerably.