Thermal modeling for the design and check of an axial flux PM motor

A thermal model is developed for an Axial Flux Permanent Magnet (AFPM) motor, to be used both in the preliminary design and as a check tool for performance analyses. As regards the sizing stage, by suitable network simplifications, the winding temperature rise can be parametrically expressed as a function of motor geometry, electrical and magnetic loadings and cooling conditions. Then, for a more detailed analysis, the complete network is used. A few evaluations show the method features, in the steady-state operation and in the short-term overload conditions.