Iron Loss Quantification in the Aim of the Estimation of Eddy Currents in Clamping Devices

Abstract

In high power electrical machines, the leakage magnetic flux due to end windings induces eddy currents in clamping devices. However, it is quite difficult to quantify these losses. In order to study the effect of different clamping materials and the impact of the magnetization direction, an experimental mock-up composed of a stator and a clamping plate has been developed. An axial coil generates a circumferential magnetic flux in the stator core at different frequencies. Eddy current losses in the clamping plates are deduced from a power balance by subtracting Joule losses and iron losses from the total measured losses. Iron losses are deduced from 3D FE calculations while the impact of the frequency on B(H) curve is taken into account. Losses in the clamping device are then analyzed depending on experimental parameters.