| This thesis presents numerical efficient finite element solvers for synchronous machine, including a static finite element/analytical solver with accuracy of the finite element analysis yet fast enough to use in large scale dynamic simulation, and a computational efficient steady-state finite element solvers for detailed design and analysis of synchronous machines.;The static model exploits the fact that only certain spatial harmonics of the magnetic field exist in the air gap of conventional machine designs to improve computational performance. Although the initial setup of the model makes the approach a bit more computationally intensive than traditional finite element analysis (FEA) for the simulation of a single rotor position, the simulation of subsequent rotor positions is dramatically faster than traditional FEA. As such, the approach is suitable for use in simulating electric machines as part of a larger dynamic simulation, such as that of an electric vehicle. Simulation results for a permanent magnet machine validate the accuracy and speed of the proposed method.;A two-dimensional steady-state finite element solver, incorporating mechanical motion, is improved by the author to have the ability of determining eddy currents in the rotor of a synchronous machine in which insulating barriers exist in the rotor. A shooting-Newton method is used to determine the periodic solution of the electromagnetics. Computation of the shooting-Newton Jacobian is avoided through the use of the Generalized Minimum Residual (GMRES) linear solver. This method is shown to be more computationally efficient than performing transient analysis until convergence. The solver is then used to compare the rotor losses of different design choices for a high-speed permanent magnet machine design. Results show that rotor losses can be reduced significantly by laminating the rotor backiron, segmenting the permanent magnet poles, increasing the number of stator slots, and closing the stator slots. |
