Axial Flux Resolver Versus Radial Flux One From Fault Tolerability Point of View

Reliability and fault tolerability of the resolvers, as the first-choice rotor angle sensor in permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs), are big concerns. Among the resolver categories, the assessment of axial and radial flux resolvers over each other is an interesting subject, which will serve as a guideline for engineering society. On the other hand, resolver errors will significantly degrade the drive system and primary motor operating conditions, injecting more stress into the motor. Therefore, it is clear that the resolver’s faulty conditions can lead to thermal changes in PMSM, which shows the connection between the frequency of resolver faults and the heat level of the motor frame. Based on this theory, in the following, two 5-X axial and radial flux resolvers are the case studies. Presenting how the failure rate calculation under faulty conditions through thermal modeling is the main aim of this reliability analysis. Finally, the accuracy of the employed 3-D time-stepping finite-element analysis (3D-TSFEA) is verified experimentally in both configurations (axial and radial) in healthy and faulty operating conditions.