Design and Evaluation of a Multi-layer Interior PM Synchronous Motor for High-Speed Drive Applications

In general, surface mounted PM synchronous motors (SPMSMs) are mainly adopted as a driving motor for high-speed applications, because they have high efficiency and high power density. However, the SPMSMs have some weak points such as the increase of magnetic reluctance and additional losses as a consequence of using a non-magnetic sleeve. Especially, the magneto-motive force (MIMI) in the air-gap of the SPMSMs is weakened due to the magnetically increased resistance. For that reason, a large amount of PM is consumed to meet the required MMF. Nevertheless, it cannot help using the sleeve in order to maintain the mechanical integrity of a rotor assembly in high-speed rotation. Thus, in this paper, a multi-layer interior PM synchronous motor (IPMSM) not using the sleeve is presented and designed as an alternative of a SPMSM. Both motors are evaluated by test results based on a variety of characteristics required for an air blower system of a fuel cell electric vehicle.