Patrick Ragot

Optimization of electric motor for a solar airplane application

This paper presents a method to model and optimize brushless dc motor for a solar airplane. In order to obtain the optimal solution for the given specifications, all free parameters are analyzed globally in one go. For this, the commercial optimization software Pro@Design is used. The method is fully analytical and deterministic. The actual multiphysic model comprises electromagnetic, thermal, and propeller models. Different results of the design of solar airplane motor using this method are presented

Brushless DC Motor Optimization Process - Choice between Standard or Straight Tooth Shape

In order to create a new solar aircraft totally powered by the sun, a new method able to handle such a complex system must be developed. The project aim is to make around-the-world flight in so as to promote the sustainable development. The aircraft power train consists of solar cells placed on the wings, the energy storage system, the energy management electronics, the brushless DC motor and propellers. This paper presents the method to optimize the motor together with the propellers, to save the maximum of energy in the power train. Two different tooth shapes are considered, straight and standard. The conclusion is surprising, as the better results are obtained with the straight tooth shape, although the mutual flux is smaller in this case. The optimization process shows a potential to analyze simultaneously all the parameters to determine the optimum

Design optimization of a BLDC motor: a comparative analysis

The paper presents an application of the Matlab optimization algorithms to a slotless brushless DC (BLDC) motor design, with 7 design parameters chosen to be free. The tested algorithms are: classical (gradient-based), direct-search and genetic. As a conclusion, the direct-search algorithm is not suitable for this application, as it is highly dependent on the initial values. The classical or genetic algorithms are suitable to apply, but within loops. The best results are produced by the sequence genetic-classical algorithms.

Optimization of Electric Motor for a Solar Airplane Application

This paper presents a method to model and optimize brushless DC motor for a solar airplane. In order to obtain the optimal solution for the given specifications, all free parameters are analyzed globally in one go. For this, the commercial optimization software Pro@Design is used. The method is fully analytical and deterministic. The actual multiphysics model comprises electromagnetic, thermal and propeller models. Different results of the design of solar airplane motor using this method are presented

Analytical Determination of the Phase Inductances for a Brushless DC Motor with Faulhaber Winding

This paper presents a method to analytically model the self and mutual phase inductances for a Faulhaber winding included in a brushless DC motor. The method of images is used to remove iron parts of the motor in order to study the winding completely in the air. The analytical model is verified using 3D FEM simulations and measurements.

Brushless DC Motor for a Solar Airplane Application: Comparison between Simulations and Measurements

The paper presents a comparison between analytical model, the finite elements method (FEM) simulations and measurements for a brushless DC motor used in a solar airplane project. In the preliminary conception phase, an optimization using an analytical model is performed. The motor efficiency and its weight are the key parameters. According to the obtained theoretical optimal configuration, a prototype is built. Airgap flux density, back-emf, iron losses and cogging torque are measured to validate the analytical model. Using a customized test bench, a special emphasis is made on the iron losses in the whole motor (stator and rotor).

Round the world flight with a solar aircraft: complex system optimization process Yves Perriard, Senior Member, Patrick Ragot, Student Member, Miroslav Markovic, Member Ecole Polytechnique F6d6rale de Lausanne (EPFL)

In order to create a new solar aircraft totally powered by the sun, a new method able to handle such a complex system must be developed. The project aim is to make a round-the-world flight in order to promote the sustainable development. The aircraft power train will consist of solar cells placed on the wings, the energy storage system, the energy management electronics, the brushless DC motor and propellers. The aim of this paper is to present the method to optimize the motor together with the propellers, in order to save the maximum of energy in the power train. The explained method is also applied to design of a small electric motor such as blood pump motor