Didier Chamagne

Optimal design of a PMSM using concentrated winding for application urban hybrid vehicle

This paper deals with a design method of an external permanent magnet (PM) synchronous motor (PMSM) using concentrated winding (wound around one tooth). The machine is used for the electrical motorization of a small urban hybrid vehicle. Such an application leads to strong design constraints, such as weight limitation, high starting torque, compactness etc. To achieve the design of the machine, an optimization software using SQP method (Sequential Quadratic Programming) is used. The PM synchronous in-wheel motor using concentrated winding is successfully designed: the in-wheel motor, integrated in a standard 15″ rim, is able to provide a peak torque of 240 N.m, a peak power of 4,5 kW and a maximal speed of 616 rpm without reduction gear. The optimized motor validation with the finite-element method (FEM) and the discussions about the results are finally presented.

Optimal design of a surface mounted permanent magnet in-wheel motor for an urban hybrid vehicle

Many optimization methods have been proposed to design electrical machines in a wide range of power [1–3]. In this paper, the authors investigate the optimal design of a surface mounted permanent magnet (PM) in-wheel motor for the propulsion of a small power hybrid vehicle (maximal total weight of 1,000 kg). Using the sequential quadratic programming (SQP) optimization algorithm, a PM synchronous machine is optimized and the performances of the obtained solution are validated with finite element analysis (FEA).

A self-adaptive multiagent evolutionary algorithm for electrical machine design

This paper presents a self-adaptive algorithm that hybridises evolutionary and multiagent concepts. Each evolutionary individual is implemented as a simple agent capable of re-production and predation. The transitions between these two states depend on the agents local environment. Thus, no explicit global process is defined to select neither the mates nor the preys. The convergence of the algorithm emerges from the behaviour of the agents. This brings interesting properties, such as population size self-regulation. Two sets of experimental results are provided: a comparison with Saw-Tooth Algorithm and micro-GA using four classical functions and an optimisation of the efficiency and the weight of an electrical motor. Some possible evolutions and prospects are finally proposed.

Thermal Modelling Of Enclosed Cables In Automotive Applications

This paper describes the transient thermal modelling of an electrical conductor used in the automobile electrical harnesses. This study includes 4 principal parts: Initially, a geometrical subdivision of the cable based on the mesh network method is described. Then, a detailed study of the heat transfers is made, particularly the internal convection and the radiation leading to the thermal modelling of a conductor. The implicit method of Crank-Nicolson then permits to numerically solve the obtained matrix system in order to predict the thermal behaviour of a wire. Finally, the mathematical model was validated by several experiments on samples of cables fitted with local thermocouples and electrical measures. The model could also be extended to high power applications, in particular the power cables used in electric vehicles.

Sizing of a hybrid locomotive

Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) is considered as the most promising solution to overcome energy crisis and air pollution. To insure an improvement of the vehicle performance and a decrease of pollutant emissions, the design and sizing of its powertrain components are necessary. In this paper, a sizing method based on an energy source frequency approach is applied to a hybrid locomotive developed by Alstom Transport. After determining the most restricting mission for the system, a sizing of secondary sources is proposed. To finish, an analysis of the obtained results informs about the diesel engine operations, the system weight and the volume constraints.

Permanent magnet motor multiobjective optimization using multiple runs of an evolutionary algorithm

This paper presents an original method of permanent magnet motor optimal design. The permanent magnet machines optimization must respect multiple constraints. Efficiency and weight have a large influence on the design. These two constraints can be found in several vehicular applications: propulsion motors, electrical fans for combustion engine, driving motors for ancillaries, driving motors for air-circuit fuel-cell compressor...Indeed, in all those embedded applications, the efficiency must be maximal to limit the energy consumption and the mass or the volume must be as low as possible. In this paper, the authors focus on an original multi-objective optimization algorithm well adapted to the previous problem. The method is based on multiplying runs of a new genetic algorithm specialized in broadly covering the solution space around target objectives. This algorithm is an improved variant of previously developed algorithms. The efficiency of these algorithms was proven by comparing with a deterministic algorithm (SQP) and a reference multi-objective genetic algorithm (NSGA-II). The presented algorithm is first validated on a study case from the literature: the dimensioning of a slotless permanent magnet machine. Then experimental results of the complete method applied on a permanent magnet motor are highlighted in a multi-objective point of view.

Performances comparison of PM machines with different rotor topologies and similar slot and pole numbers

This paper presents performances comparison of several permanent-magnet (PM) machines with different rotor topologies and similar slot and pole numbers. These rotor topologies include one surface-mounted PM (SPM) topology and three interior PM (IPM) topologies. The four structures are compared for the same stator geometry and winding excitations, and the rotor topologies are considered with the same volume of PM materials. The performances comparison includes the air-gap flux density, the back-electromotive force (EMF), the cogging and ripple torque, the losses (i.e., in the iron and in the PMs) and the efficiency. The 2D finite-element method (FEM) is used to achieve this comparison.

In-wheel motor for a small hybrid electric vehicle: design, realization and experimental characterization

This paper presents a surface mounted (SM) permanent-magnet (PM) in-wheel motor for the propulsion of a small plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) for urban use. The electric machine is a fractional number of slots per number of poles motor using concentrated winding (wound around one tooth). First the authors detail the technical specifications: the maximal torque and power respectively equal to 240 N.m and 4.5 kW. Then they justify briefly the choice of the motor type and they present the optimal design and the mechanical analysis (vibrations). Finally, the realization of the motor is described (i.e., the stator laminations, the stator concentric windings, the external rotor structure...) and the experimental tests are presented to highlight the real performances of the in-wheel motor.

Reluctance network modeling tubular linear alternator considering iron nonlinearities

This paper presents a nonlinear reluctance network modeling a tubular surface mounted permanents magnets linear alternator. The ferromagnetic materials saturation is considered. The topology and the reluctance values of the network are automatically computed. The linkage between rotor and stator network is modified for each rotor position. The model allows a transient study and presents a good accordance with finites elements method considering the magnetic fluxes view by the stator windings. The proposed model is developed to be used in a systemic modeling of a generator set to optimize the alternator for a low frequency application.

Design and performance prediction of miniaturized Stirling power generators

This work reports a theoretical study of the dynamic behavior of a beta cinematic Stirling engine (BCSE) coupled with a synchronous permanent magnet linear alternator. The paper presents an analytical study of the BCSE. The objective is to evaluate the thermo-mechanical performances of the engine. The BCSE is designed to produce about 10 W (mechanical power). Helium is the working fluid. It results that the Stirling engine operates at a frequency of 20 Hz. Subsequently, a linear alternator is designed in order to produce electrical power of 5 W in this condition. The alternator is pre-designed by an analytical model and improved by using Finite Element simulations. This preliminary work is a first step of a systemic modeling in order to optimize a small generator set.