A novel numerical method for the calculation of iron and magnet losses of IPMSMs

This paper presents a faster and simpler approach for the calculation of iron and magnet losses of an IPMSM than Finite Element Analysis. It uses large elements and takes into account the magnetic saturation and magnet eddy currents. The machine is represented by its magnetic equivalent circuit, consisting of non-linear and constant reluctance elements and flux sources. Solution of non-linear magnetic circuit is obtained by an iterative method. The results allow the calculation of losses and efficiency of the machine. Owing to the approximations used in the formulation of the magnetic equivalent circuit, this method is less accurate but faster than non-linear transient magnetic FEM, and is more useful for the comparison of different machine designs during design optimization process.