Multi-physics simulation of a synchronous claw-pole alternator for automotive applications

Non electromagnetic design criteria for electrical machines, such as the limitation of the overall size, maximum temperature or efforts to extend the service life are of growing importance in automotive applications. In order to avoid expensive prototyping, powerful simulation tools are needed to analyze the machine behavior from the earliest design stage. Key aspect for multi-physics simulation, capable of addressing electromagnetic as well as thermal and mechanical aspects of the problem at a time, is the data exchange between subsystems of different natures, as well as the I/O operations with external data. This paper describes a multi-physics simulation of a synchronous claw-pole alternator with focus on the interaction between electrical and thermal parts. The different levels of refinement of the model, the model decision and simplifying assumptions that have been done are also discussed in this paper