Evaluation and Application of Thermal Modeling for High Power Motor Improvements

Electric motors for vehicle applications are required to have high efficiency and small size and weight. Accurately modeling the thermal properties of an electric motor is critical to properly sizing the motor. Improving the cooling of the motor windings allows for a more efficient and power-dense motor. There are a variety of methods for predicting motor temperatures, however this paper discusses the advantages and accuracy of using a nodal lumped thermal model. Both commercially available and proprietary motor thermal modeling software are evaluated and compared. Thermal improvements based on the model in both contact interfaces and winding encapsulant are evaluated, showing motor improvements in the ability to handle heat losses of approximately forty percent greater than the baseline, resulting in either higher power or lower motor temperatures for the same package size.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Filip, Ethan Lee

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Nelson, Douglas J.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Ellis, Michael W.
• Ferris, John B.

• Thermal Conductivity
• Electric Vehicle Motor
• Nodal Thermal Model

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-12142010-202447

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/36137