Modeling and Optimization for Self-Cooling of FSPM Machine with Airfoil-Shaped Rotor using Axial and Radial Inlets

This paper proposes an innovative methodology for modeling and optimizing axial and radial housing inlets of a flux-switching permanent magnet (FSPM) machine with an airfoil-shaped rotor to achieve maximum self-cooling performance. As the machine rotates, the air is drawn through the axial and radial inlets and is accelerated in the rotor stage before being exhausted through the outlets. This airflow can be used to cool the machine's surface through forced convection. Adjusting the position and size of the inlets and outlets controls the airflow in order to preferentially cool the hot spots in the end windings. In this paper, a surrogate model of the flow and heat transfer within the machine's housing is introduced based on more detailed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling results. This simplified, analytical model can be used to optimize the airflow ports on the housing to achieve self-cooling.