Electrical machines for electromotion and their design

The paper presents the design considerations of electrical machines for drive systems. The different types of electrical machines implemented in drive systems are overviewed and their main characteristics are discussed. Actual trends of using vector control techniques in inverter fed asynchronous motors and sensorless permanent magnet motor drives are explained and their advantages are illustrated. The finite element method in the design procedures of electrical machines is considered. The above mentioned methodologies are illustrated with respect to the design of an asynchronous motor for an electrical vehicle drive and that of a multiple permanent magnet generator for a gear-less wind turbine. These applications are being developed in the Laboratory of Electrical Machines of the National Technical University of Athens in the frame of research projects, funded by the Greek Secretariat for Research and Technology.