Coupled circuit and magnetic fast model for high-speed permanent-magnet drive design

High-speed electrical actuators used in harsh environments for automotive applications have surged in recent years. Examples comprise electrically assisted turbochargers, air compressors for fuel-cells, and waste heat recovery generators. In those kinds of applications, the temperature, size and efficiency are major constraining factors. Thus, the electronic and machine designs must be properly selected and adapted to work reliably in such tough environments. Then, coupled circuit and magnetic simulations must be performed to evaluate the impact of machine control on motor and inverter losses in order to find an optimum system. However, electronic driver and electric motor optimisations based on conventional simulation tools are very time-consuming, since these are based on finite-element methods for magnetic simulations and on Kirchhoff equations resolution for electronic simulations. In this context, this study presents a fast drive system model and its application on a high-power high-speed motor. The electronic and machine performances can rapidly be analysed by changing the electronic and motors parameters and substantially reducing the time required by conventional finite-element analysis software tools.