Integrated Nonlinear Magnetic Field-Network Simulation of an Electronically Commutated Permanent Magnet Motor System under Normal Operation

An integrated magnetic field-network computer-aided method is presented, and is verified here by applying it in the determination of the performance of an electronically commutated permanent magnet motor system, and comparing the results with test results at rated operating conditions. Test results were found to be in very good agreement with numerical simulation data. At the core of this method are the instantaneous calculation of the magnetic field distribution within the machine, using the finite element method, and the determination of the winding inductances from these field solutions with the aid of an energy perturbation technique. The armature induced emfs are also obtained from these field solutions. These winding parameters, which are load dependent, are used in a nonlinear time domain network model of first order differential equations governing the dynamic performance of the motor to solve for the instantaneous phase currents. These new currents are then used at every time instant to determine the corresponding machine winding parameters, and the above process is repeated at successive time instants until the complete analysis period is covered. Though the validity of this method of analysis is verified in this paper by applying it to a 15 hp (11.2kw), 120 volt electronically commutated brushless dc motor system operating under normal and balanced conditions, the real utility of the method lies in its ability to analyze these motor systems under unbalanced partial or total component failure (fault) in the windings and associated conditioners. This type of application is given in a companion paper.