MODELING AND DESIGN OPTIMIZATION OF PERMANENT-MAGNET MOTORS

Variable-speed permanent (PM) magnet motors are being used in an ever-increasing range of industrial and commercial applications. The objective of this paper is to provide a basis for optimizing the design of such permanent magnet motors and, through this, to provide insight into a comparison of PM motors with other types of drive motor. First, design models are presented for the approximate analysis of torque capability, losses, thermal characteristics, magnet protection and power factor control. These models are then used in an optimization program using sequential unconstrained minimization techniques to produce designs for a wide range of motor torque ratings. In order to examine the potential for large PM motor drives, the design criterion chosen for emphasis in optimization is the minimum total lifetime cost, including the cost of losses. The high efficiency and good power-to-weight ratio of the optimized PM motors leads to a total present value cost which is expected to be significantly lower than achieved with induction motors.