Published: 15 November 2014

Numerical simulation of the magnetic field and electromagnetic vibration analysis of the AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor

Bai-zhou Li1
Yu Wang2
Qi-chang Zhang3
1Tianjin Key Laboratory of High Cutting and Precision Machining, Tianjin University of Technology and Education, Tianjin, 300222, China
1, 2, 3School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
Corresponding Author:
Bai-zhou Li
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Abstract

The AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor with characteristics of high efficiency, high stability, long using life and simple maintenance is one of the most important developing directions in the motor field. The research on electromagnetic vibration is foundations of designing the low noising AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor. In this paper, starting from the structure of AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor, the magnetic flux density, radial electromagnetic force and vibration’s theoretical model of the three-phase AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor were deduced. Influencing factors of the electromagnetic vibration of permanent-magnet synchronous motor were analyzed from the theoretical point of view. The main frequency of electromagnetic vibration was put forward. To analyze the distribution of the electromagnetic field accurately, the three-phase AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor with 4 poles and 24 slots was simulated by numerical simulation of magnetic field, obtaining the radial flux density. By theoretical modeling and the numerical simulation of the magnetic field, the simulation results showed that when slots of the permanent-magnet synchronous motor was close to 2 times, 4 times, 6 times or 8 times of motor poles, the motor generated vibration frequency which is 2 times, 4 times or 6 times as the fundamental frequency.

1. Introduction

The AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor with simple structure, small volume, light weight, high power density, high efficiency, excellent low-speed performance, fast response, wide speed range and easy or free maintenance is of great development prospects [1, 2]. The noise index is the key factor for the normal operation of motor, and the noise comes from the vibration [3, 4], the modeling and analysis of the vibration characteristics of AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor are significant to the design.

The vibration of permanent-magnet synchronous motor can be divided into three categories [5]. The first is electromagnetic vibration, which is generated from the deformation and vibration of stator caused by the electromagnetic force. The second is mechanical vibration, which is caused by the imbalance of bearings and rotors. The third originates in the aerodynamic vibration. Since AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor has no brush and advances in high efficiency and motors with small and medium motor have no fan, noise caused by mechanical vibration and air flow is less than that caused by electromagnetic vibration. In reference [6], for medium and small motors at a low speed, the proportion of noise from the three kinds of vibrations was given. It showed that noise and vibration of medium and small motor with low speeds, noise was mainly caused by the electromagnetic vibration. Therefore, the electromagnetic vibration caused by electromagnetic force was mainly analyzed and researched in this paper.

Many scholars have done a lot of research on the electromagnetic vibration with mainly analytical method and finite element method. The analytical method has clear functions and is easy to analyze the influence of parameters to vibration and to study the law of vibration. However, it can only calculate the motor vibration accurately in connection with simple structure or under certain special circumstances. With wide scope of application, the finite element method is able to solve complex motor vibration problems. But the results are approximate solutions and lack theoretical foundation. The cause of the vibration cannot be researched in depth. In view of the characteristics of the analytical method and the finite element method, when analyzing electromagnetic vibration, we should use the analytical method as far as possible. For example, a series of references of Professor Zhu [7-11] and reference [12-14] calculated the electromagnetic force and electromagnetic vibration by analytical method. In this paper, since it is difficult to accurately solve the electromagnetic field distribution of the permanent-magnet synchronous motor and there are accurate analytical models of the electromagnetic field, electromagnetic force and motor vibration, the distribution of electromagnetic field of the motor was simulated numerically by the finite element method. Then the electromagnetic force was calculated based on the simulation results and Maxwell equations of the electromagnetic field. The motor vibration was calculated by the electromagnetic force. Factors influencing the electromagnetic vibration were analyzed, which laid the foundation for the further performance prediction and design of the noise of the permanent-magnet synchronous motor.

2. The AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor

The structure of AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor is shown in Fig. 1. Coils are winded in the stator slots. Permanent magnets are mounted on rotors. When inletting the alternating current, coil windings generate control fields, which interact with magnetic fields generated by permanent magnets on rotors and produce torque. Then rotors generate synchronous motion. The rotational speed increases with the increase of the current frequency of coil windings.

Fig. 1The structure of the three-phase AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor

The structure of the three-phase AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor

The electromagnetic force between coil windings and permanent magnets on rotors can be decomposed as the tangential and radial force. The tangential force generates torques which makes rotors rotate. The radial force causes the deformation vibration of stators and rotors. Studies showed that the vibration of stators caused by the radial force was the main source of the noise [15, 16].

3. The electromagnetic model of motor

3.1. The magnetic field model of the air gap of permanent-magnet synchronous motor

According to the basic principle of the magnetic circuit in the electromagnetic field, the permeability of the motor core is much larger than that of the air. The reluctance of the core is so small and generally negligible. Therefore, magnetic potentials of permanent magnets on rotors and armatures on stators basically land on the air gap. The magnetic potential of the air gap composes of fundamental magnetic potential, harmonic magnetic potential of stators and harmonic magnetic potential of rotors. The magnetic potential of the air gap is:

1
fθ,t=F0cospθ-ω0t-φ0+Fvcosvpθ±ω0t-φv
+Fμcosμpθ-μω0t-φu,

where ω0 is the current frequency of the fundamental wave of stator; v is the number of the harmonic wave of stator and takes the value of 6k+-1k; μ, v is the number of the harmonic wave of rotor and takes the value of 2k+1; k takes the value of 1, 2, 3, 4,…; p is the number of pole-pairs; θ is the rotation angle.

The gap flux density is expressed as [17]:

2
bθ,t=fθ,tλθ,

where λθ is the magnetic permeability of the air gap. Just considering the average components and first-order tooth harmonic components, the magnetic potential of the air gap can be approximated by:

3
λθ=Λ0+Λ1coszθ,

where Λ0 is the average component of the magnetic permeability the air gap; Λ1 is the amplitude of first-order tooth harmonic components; z is the number of stator slots.

With simultaneous Eq. (1)-Eq. (3), gap flux density can be deduced:

4
bθ,t=Λ0+Λ1coszθfθ,t=Λ0F0cospθ-ω0t-φ0
+Fvcosvpθ±ω0t-φv+Fμcosμpθ-μω0t-φu
+Λ1coszθF0cospθ-ω0t-φ0+Fvcosvpθ±ω0t-φv
+Fμcosμpθ-μω0t-φu.

Because Fv<F0,Fμ<F0 and Λ1<Λ0, discarding product terms with small amplitude, Eq. (4) can be simplified to:

5
bθ,t=Λ0F0cospθ-ω0t-φ0+Λ0Fvcosvpθ±ω0t-φv
+Λ0Fμcosμpθ-μω0t-φu+Λ1coszθF0cospθ-ω0t-φ0.

This is the air gap flux density model of the permanent-magnet synchronous motor. The air gap field of the permanent-magnet synchronous motor can be obtained by it.

3.2. The theoretical foundation of the numerical simulation of magnetic field

The numerical simulation of magnetic field is based on Maxwell equations, namely [18]:

6
×E=-Bt,
7
×B=0,
8
×H=J+Dt,
9
×D=ρ,

where E is the intensity of the electric field; B is the intensity of magnetization; H the intensity of the magnetic field; J is the intensity of the current; ρ is the density of the charge.

Because mediums meet:

10
B=μH,
11
J=γE,
12
D=εE,

where μ is the magnetic permeability; γ is the conductivity; ε is the dielectric constant.

Taking Eq. (10)-Eq. (12) into Eq. (6)-Eq. (9), the electromagnetic field with sinusoidal characteristics meets:

13
×Bμ=γ+jωεE,
14
×E=-jωB.

Because ×B=0, there is magnetic potential A to make:

15
B=×A.

So:

16
×Bμ=×1μ×A=γ+jωεE.

Because:

17
××H=H-2H=1μΒ-2H=-2H.

Combining Eq. (8), Eq. (11) and Eq. (12) show that:

18
××H=εt×E+γ×E.

Taking Eq. (6) into Eq. (18), the above equation can be written as:

19
××H=-εμ2Ht2-γμHt.

Combine Eq. (19) with Eq. (17) to get:

20
2H=εμ2Ht2+γμHt.

Remove H of Eq. (20) to obtain an equation about E:

21
2E=εμ2Et2+γμEt.

Eq. (16), Eq. (20) and Eq. (21) constitute the theoretical foundation of the numerical simulation of magnetic field. In the numerical simulation, in addition to theoretical formulas, boundary conditions are also needed. Boundary conditions of numerical simulation of the magnetic field can be divided into three categories. The first is to directly give the value of an unknown function on the boundary. The second is to give the directional derivative along the normal outside the boundary of an unknown function. The third is to give some linear combinations along the outer normal derivative of an unknown function.

3.3. The model of the numerical simulation of magnetic field

The structural parameters of the motor: the inner diameter and outer diameter of the stator are respectively 16 mm and 23.3 mm; 4 poles and 24 stator slots. According to Fig. 1, the model of the numerical simulation of magnetic field can be drawn as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2The numerical simulation of the three-phase AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor

The numerical simulation of the three-phase AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor

4. The model of electromagnetic vibration

4.1. The model of electromagnetic force

The main reason for the electromagnetic vibration is the influence of the radial electromagnetic force on stators. Knowing from the Maxwell stress equations, the instantaneous radial electromagnetic force on the inner surface unit area of the stator teeth [19]:

22
prθ,tb2θ,t2μ0.

Taking Eq. (5) into Eq. (22). After the prosthaphaeresis of the vibration of stators and ignoring items with high stress wave order, the instantaneous radial electromagnetic force per unit area can be obtained:

23
prθ,t12μ0Λ0F022cos2pθ-2ω0t-2φ0+1
+F024Λ0Λ1cosz-2pθ+2ω0t+2φ0
+Λ02Fv2Fμcosv-μpθ+μ±1ω0t+φμ-φν
+F0Λ0Λ14Fvcosz-νp-pθ+ω0±ω0t+φ0+φν
+F0Λ0Λ14Fμcosz-μp-pθ+μ+1ω0t+φ0+φμ.

The radial force of stators:

24
Frθ,tπDsfLsfprθ,t,

where Dsf is the inner diameter of stator cores; Lsf is the length of stator cores.

4.2. Vibration model

The dynamic model of mechanical vibration can be equivalent to a mass – spring – damper system, so as to meet the force balance equation:

25
F=Md2xdt2+Cdxdt+Kx,

where [M], C and K are namely mass matrix of the mechanical system, damping matrix and stiffness matrix; x and F are displacement and force of nodes.

To simplify the analysis, the stator is simplified into a cylindrical shell with two end covers. Two ends are free. The equivalent simplified vibration model is shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 3The equivalent simplified vibration model of the stator

The equivalent simplified vibration model of the stator

Considering only the radial direction of the stator vibration, when the order of the electromagnetic force equals that of the motor, the amplitude of radial vibration displacement of the stator with order m produced by electromagnetic force is:

26
Am=FrmMωm2-ωr22+4ξm2ωm2ωr2,

where M is the equivalent mass of cylindrical shell; ωm is m-order natural angular frequency; ωr is the angular frequency of r-order electromagnetic force; Frm is the amplitude of radial electromagnetic force from Eq. (24). ξm is the modal damping ratio, which is difficult to be analyzed theoretically and got by experimental methods. Its value is influenced by the frequency and winding layers. Empirical formula is:

27
ξm=12π2.76×10-5fm+0.062,

where fm is the natural frequency of the cylindrical shell. Formula of its value is:

28
fm=ΩmπDsfEcρc1-νc2,

where νc is the Poisson’s ratio of the stator core. The value of Ωm is:

29
Ωm=121+m2+κ2m4±1+m2+κ2m42-4κ2m6,

where m1. When m=0, Ω0=1. κ2 is the dimensionless thickness parameter:

30
κ2=hc23Dsf2,

where hc is the thickness of the stator core.

5. Simulation analysis

5.1. The analysis of electromagnetic vibration frequency

The form of Eq. (23) shows that the radial electromagnetic force is a kind of wave. Motor vibration amplitude is inversely related to the order of stress wave. Know from the five items in braces of Eq. (23).

The order of stress wave of the first one is 2p, and the motor vibration frequency is 2 times as the fundamental wave.

The order of stress wave of the second one is z-2p. When the slot number of the statorzis close to the pole number of the motor 2p, that is, z-2p0, the motor will produce vibration frequency which is 2 times as the fundamental frequency.

The order of stress wave of the third one is v-μp. When the harmonic wave number of the stator is equal to that of the rotor, vibration with the frequency of μ±1ω0 will generate. When ν=6k-1, take μ+1ω0; when ν=6k+1, take μ-1ω0. For the three-phase synchronous motor, the value formula of harmonic wave numbers of the stator and the rotor shows that when the harmonic wave number is low, if v equals μ and the value is 5 or 7, the motor will produce vibration frequency which is 6 times as the fundamental frequency.

The order of stress wave of the fourth one is z-νp-p. When ν=6k-1, the coefficient before the time is 0 and there is no vibration. When ν=6k+1, the coefficient before the time is 2. When the order number of stress wave is close to 0, the motor will produce vibration frequency is 2 times as the fundamental frequency. Therefore, for the three-phase synchronous motor, the vibration when v is 5 or 7 is: when v= 5, there is no vibration; when v= 7, the motor will produce vibration frequency which is 2 times as the fundamental frequency and the number of stator slots z8p.

The order of stress wave of the fifth one is z-μp-p. When z-μp-p0, the motor will produce electromagnetic vibration with the frequency of μ+1ω0. For the three-phase synchronous motor, low harmonic wave will still be analyzed. Take the harmonic wave number of the rotor as 3 or 5. When z 4p or z 6p, the motor will produce vibration frequency which is 4 or 6 times as the fundamental frequency.

The foregoing analysis shows that the electromagnetic vibration frequency of three-phase permanent-magnet synchronous motor is mainly 2 or 6 times as the fundamental frequency. When the slots number of the stator is close to 4p and 6p, the electromagnetic vibration also includes vibration frequency which is 4 or 6 times as the fundamental frequency.

5.2. The simulation analysis of the electromagnetic force

Eq. (24) shows that the electromagnetic force wave is a function influenced by mechanical angle and time. Therefore, the magnetic flux density and electromagnetic force wave were simulated according to spatial location and time.

Parameters of the simulation are shown in Table 3. Take the intermediate mechanical angle of the inner surface of the stator as 30°. Substitute it into Eq. (5). For the three-phase permanent-magnet synchronous motor, when neglecting items with high harmonic wave and the stator is 5 or 7 and rotor is 3, 5 and 7, the curve of magnetic flux density is shown in Fig. 4.

Simulation parameters of Eq. (24) is same with Eq. (5). When the harmonic wave number of the stator takes 5 and 7, the harmonic wave number of the rotor takes 3, 5 and 7 and the mechanical angle is 30°, the curve of stress wave is shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 4The radial flux density changes with time at the angle of 30°

The radial flux density changes with time at the angle of 30°

Fig. 5The radial force changes with time at the angle of 30°

The radial force changes with time at the angle of 30°

Fig. 6The radial flux density changes with the space angle

The radial flux density changes with the space angle

Fig. 7The radial force changes with the space angle

The radial force changes with the space angle

Parameters of the simulation are shown in Table 3. When the harmonic wave number of the stator takes 5 and 7, the harmonic wave number of the rotor takes 3, 5 and 7 and the permanent-magnet synchronous motor rotates at a certain moment (set ω0t=π), the curve of radial flux density changing with the mechanical angle is shown in Fig. 6.

Simulation parameters are as above. When the permanent-magnet synchronous motor rotates at a certain moment (set ω0t=π), the curve of radial electromagnetic force changing with the mechanical angle is shown in Fig. 7.

From Fig. 4 to Fig. 6, the radial air gap flux density and the radial electromagnetic force wave are periodic from space and time. And the frequency of the radial electromagnetic force wave is 2 times of that of the radial air gap flux density.

5.3. The numerical simulation of the electromagnetic field

According to structure parameters in Table 1 and the electromagnetic field simulation of the three-phase AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor in Fig. 2, simulation results can be shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9.

Table 1The radial vibration mode of the stator

Modal number m
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Frequency (Hz)
7572
116
464
1313
2517
4070
5971
8218

Fig. 8The radial force changes with the space angle

The radial force changes with the space angle

Fig. 9The simulation results of magnetic flux density of the three-phase AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor

The simulation results of magnetic flux density of the three-phase AC  permanent-magnet synchronous motor

Knowing from Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, numerical simulation results of the electrical angle and radial air gap flux density are shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 11 to Fig. 13 are simulation curves of electrical parameters of the three-phase AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor. Fig. 11 shows that the maximum no-load is close to 175 V, the winding current is close to 4 A. In the rated load, electrical angle and phase voltage curve are sinusoidal.

Fig. 10The simulation results of magnetic flux density of the three-phase AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor

The simulation results of magnetic flux density of the three-phase AC  permanent-magnet synchronous motor

Fig. 11The relationship between the electrical angle and winding back EMF

The relationship between the electrical angle and winding back EMF

Fig. 12The relationship between the electrical angle and the winding current

The relationship between the electrical angle and the winding current

5.4. The calculation of electromagnetic vibration

By the motor’s structural parameters of Eq. (26) to Eq. (30) and Table 3, the relationship between the radial electromagnetic force and vibration displacement of the stator of the three-phase AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor in different stress wave and frequency is shown in Table 2.

Fig. 13The relationship between the electrical angle and the phase voltage with the rated load

The relationship between the electrical angle and the phase voltage with the rated load

Table 2The vibration calculation of the permanent-magnet synchronous motor

The number of stress wave
Frequency / Hz
The amplitude of radial force / N
Vibration displacement / μm
2
500
46600.00
3.16
4
1000
3728.0
0.253
4
1500
1752.4
0.119
2
2000
753.4
0.051
2
2500
63.4
0.004

As can be seen from Table 2, the vibration displacement of the 500 Hz electromagnetic force can be 3.16 μm. As the main component of the electromagnetic vibration, the vibration frequency is 2 times as the fundamental frequency.

Table 3Motor parameters

Name
Symbol
Value
The number of slots
z
24
The quality of the stator core
M
8.58 kg
The inner diameter of the stator
Dsi
160 mm
The outer diameter of the stator
Dso
233 mm
The length of the stator core
Lsf
197.5 mm
The width of the stator slot
bz
5.87 mm
The length of the stator slot
Lz
3 mm
The thickness of the stator
hz
8.42 mm
Modulus of elasticity
Es
200 GPa
The Poisson’s ratio of the stator
νs
0.3

6. Conclusions

From research on the air gap magnetic field, electromagnetic force and vibration, we can obtain the following conclusions:

1) The electromagnetic vibration frequency of three-phase AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor is mainly 2 or 6 times of the fundamental frequency. When the slots number of the statorzis close to 4p and 6p, the frequency of violent vibration also includes vibration which is 4 or 6 times as the fundamental frequency.

2) The electromagnetic vibration of the three-phase permanent-magnet synchronous motor is mainly from the radial vibration of the stator. The radial air gap flux density and the radial electromagnetic force wave are periodic from space and time. And the frequency of the radial electromagnetic force wave is 2 times of frequency of the radial air gap flux density.

3) The simulation and analysis of the permanent-magnet synchronous motor with 4 poles and 24 slots show that when the frequency of the radial electromagnetic force wave is 2 times as the fundamental frequency, the electromagnetic vibration is severe.

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About this article

Received
17 June 2014
Accepted
07 September 2014
Published
15 November 2014
Keywords
permanent-magnet synchronous motor
electromagnetic vibration
numerical simulation of magnetic field
gap flux density
electromagnetic force wave
Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a grant from the innovation team training plan of Tianjin colleges (TD12-5043).