Design & application of low power interior permanent magnet motors

This thesis presents the design, analysis, experimental achievement and performance of an Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) motor for use in low power range applications. IPMs are suitable for use in household appliance motors, pumps, small electric vehicles, air compressors motor and industrial fan motors. IPMs can significantly reduce power consumption compared to alternative motor types of similar power. In this thesis, an IPM has been designed and tested for use in low power electric applications. The IPM design aims to achieve maximum torque and power density at high efficiency while keeping losses low. The three basic components of the motor design, stator, rotor and permanent magnets, are considered separately with the aim of high efficiency. In order to minimize the cogging torque and thus improve the dynamic performance of the motor, a distributed winding structure is used in the stator windings. Permanent magnets are used in the rotor to provide high torque density in IPM. The magnets used are selected from high strength materials for structural integrity. The motor performance was analyzed by Finite Element Method and the results obtained were verified with the tests performed in the experimental study. According to the results obtained, it is revealed that the IPM shows a good dynamic performance with low cogging torque at high efficiency.