Measurement of heat generation rate in the permanent magnets of rotating electrical machines

This paper presents an experimental method for measuring heat generation rate in the permanent magnets of rotating electrical machines. The results obtained from the experimental work are used to derive an empirical correlation which is subsequently used to predict the total thermal energy stored in a magnet after a speed varying torque load. The results of an uncertainty analysis are offered in order to show the usefulness of the technique. An axial flux permanent magnet machine has been used as a case study in this work, though the methodology could certainly be applied to other topologies.