Thermal Characteristics and Cooling Methods of a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors with High Flux Density

To make electrical aircraft practical, a high-power density motor is needed. Therefore, we used finite element method (FEM) to investigate the power density and thermal characteristics of an 8 poles 9 slots permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). The motor has a 0.3mm copper plating on rotor’s surface, which can reduce the penetration of harmonics in the magneto-motive force produced by the armature windings, cause less eddy current losses and heats. Some cooling methods were quantitatively evaluated to suppress the rotor and magnet’s temperature rise more efficiently. Simulation results show that the power density of the PMSM can be enhanced by using copper plating and appropriate cooling method.