Coupled electromagnetic-thermal modeling of electrical machines

Abstract

This paper describes some modeling techniques used in computing the heat losses and temperature distribution in some electrical machines. The thermal sources can be eddy currents in conductors and winding I/sup 2/R losses. Since the thermal time constants are relatively very long, the coupled electromagnetic-thermal problem is solved as a weakly coupled system using time-harmonic and time-transient methods for the electromagnetic and thermal systems, respectively. The electrical coil is modeled as a reduced scalar region coupled with the thermal equation. Results are compared with experimental measurements.