A Multi-Physics Design Method for V-Shape Interior Permanent-Magnet Machines Based on Multi-Objective Optimization

V-shape Interior Permanent-magnet Machines (IPMs) have been a popular topology among machine designers due to their robustness, high efficiency, and high power density. When designing IPMs, it is desirable to address the multi-physics nature of the design process by including electromagnetic, thermal, and structural analyses. Traditionally, these analyses are implemented using finite-element based methods due to the complexity of the machine geometry and magnetic saturation. However, such methods become computationally cumbersome, especially in a multi-objective optimization environment. In this article, a design method for V-shape IPMs based on multi-objective optimization is proposed. Analytical models are set forth to address the electromagnetic, thermal, and structural behaviors of the machine, which improves computational efficiency and allows for a large design space and multiple operating points to be considered. A design study incorporating relevant design constraints is carried out. The predictions made by the proposed design analyses are validated using Finite Element Analysis (FEA).