An alternative analytical thermal model of a laboratory developed LPMSM prototype with its FEM analysis and experimental validation

This paper presents a thermal analysis of a 320 W, 4-pole, 50 Hz, 5 m/s surface-mounted linear Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (LPMSM) prototype using the thermal circuit method. In absence of sufficient literature, the objective of this study is to establish a foundation for subsequent discussions and modeling in the area of thermal analysis of such motors. The losses of the LPMSM are evaluated using conventional methods. Thereafter the heat transfer through conduction, convection and radiation are considered in the analysis. An equivalent thermal circuit model for the LPMSM prototype is proposed based on similiar analysis of a rotary PMSM. To validate the results, steady-state thermal analysis is done using standard FEM software packages. Thereafter, a novel experimental method has been proposed. The result shows excellent correlation between calculated, simulated and experimental values, thereby establishing the accuracy of the analysis. This work might serve as a basis for further discussions and modelling in the domain of LPMSM thermal studies.