Universal acoustic modeling framework for electrical drives

This paper presents a universal acoustic modeling process for efficient, high-quality acoustic modeling of electrical drives. It combines the two fast and user-interactive steps system simulation and vibration synthesis. The underlying model parameters are obtained via automated offline finite-element simulations based on generic input parameters. This allows using complex electromagnetic and structural models without computation time becoming prohibitive. The approach can be applied to all types of machines, including outer rotor and transversal flux machines as well as machines with rotor or stator skew. Switching frequencies and spatial machine harmonics are routinely taken into account. Sound radiation or transfers path analyses can be added. Analytical or measured models can also be used. This makes it a universal acoustic modeling framework for electrical drives. Application examples are given for a permanent magnet synchronous machine traction drive for a hybrid electric vehicle as well as a for a switched reluctance auxiliary drive. Simulated run-up spectrograms for structure borne sound are validated against measurements and operational deflections are presented.