Topology Optimization Framework for Simultaneously Determining the Optimal Structural Design and Current Phase Angle of the IPMSMs for the MTPA Control

Although it is crucial to design the magnetic flux path and the maximum torque per ampere (MTPA) current reference under the current limitation, it is challenging to simultaneously consider these features in developing an interior permanent magnet synchronous motors (IPMSM) due to complicated coupling effects. In this article, to overcome the above issue, the motor-design parameters are estimated by conducting electromagnetic finite element (FE) analysis two times at every iteration of topology optimization. Then, the MTPA current phase angle can be analytically expressed in terms of an elementwise relative density (i.e., design variable in topology optimization). In addition, the structural safety is assessed by conducting the structural FE analysis under design-dependent loads to reflect a high-speed rotation. The proposed two-stage topology optimization enables us to simultaneously optimize both a structural design and current phase angle to achieve the maximum electromagnetic performance. Structural safety and manufacturability are also considered to obtain a practically meaningful design. With two different types of permanent magnets, the optimized IPMSMs are obtained and manufactured to validate the proposed method. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate the validity and potential of this work.

Automated summary

In this article, a two-stage topology optimization method is proposed to simultaneously optimize the structural design and current phase angle of an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM), aiming to achieve maximum electromagnetic performance. Structural safety and manufacturability are also considered, and the validity of the proposed method is demonstrated through simulation and experimental results.