Energies, Vol. 18, Pages 4494: Accuracy of Core Losses Estimation in PMSM: A Comparison of Empirical and Numerical Approximation Models
Energies doi: 10.3390/en18174494
Authors:
Michael Nye
Matilde D’Arpino
Luigi Pio Di Di Noia
The estimation of core loss in permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs) is a fundamental step for the optimization of the performance of PMSM drives. However, there is a lack of literature which fully demonstrates the goodness of some of the empirical approximations that are commonly used in industrial and automotive sectors. This work investigates how different approximations for the core loss estimation of PMSMs can lead to considerable error across the entire machine operating domain. An interior PMSM (IPMSM) is modeled in finite element analysis (FEA) and used to calibrate the coefficients of the Bertotti equation. Approximations of the Bertotti equation are then made, which are calculated from a simple algebraic expression of measurable states, and these are used to estimate machine core loss in the whole direct-quadrature (d−q) domain of operation. The estimated core loss obtained with the approximations are finally compared to FEA core loss results. The approximations are shown to have considerable variability in their accuracy compared to FEA results. The results of this work can be used as guidance during the development of estimation algorithms for PMSM losses and the development of control strategies.