Multidisciplinary Optimization of an Electrically Excited Synchronous Motor

Large-scale multidisciplinary optimization is conducted for an electrically excited synchronous motor (EESM). EESMs are drawing attention as candidates for electric vehicle traction machines because of the no-magnet structure, providing advantages such as efficient field weakening and less cost. However, obtaining an optimal design is not straightforward due to complexities brought about by the field currents of the rotor. Although computational optimization can be used to find the optimal design, comprehensive multidisciplinary optimization is not found in past studies, indicating the high computation volume. We conducted a multidisciplinary finite element analysis-based optimization to find the optimal design, including magnetics, stress, and thermal. The results show that comprehensive optimization is feasible using high-performance computing and necessary to find the optimal EESM design.