Towards Predictive Motor Analysis Multiphysics Modeling and Its Applications

Proper thermal management is key to the safe and efficient operation of electric motors, which relies on accurate prediction of electromagnetic loss. Electromagnetics is often coupled with thermal analysis to provide detailed loss information, which is referred as one-way coupled Multiphysics analysis. While one-way coupling improves model accuracy by incorporating detailed loss information, the electromagnetic analysis still relies on assumed temperature. To close the loop, a two-way coupling has been proposed to couple thermal information back to the electromagnetics analysis. The two-way coupling provides a complete modeling framework by considering the two physics via temperature dependent material properties, leading to improved electromagnetics accuracy in addition to thermal analysis. However, its application has been limited due to the complicated mapping and computing overhead. In this study, the two-way coupling has been investigated over full 3D geometry to examine benefits and pitfalls, focused on the energy conservation between the two physics.