Sensorless rotor temperature estimation of permanent magnet synchronous motor

The work proposes a method for estimation of the magnet temperature in permanent-magnet synchronous machines by exploiting the d-axis saturation effects in the steel stator core produced by the d-current and rotor flux excitation. The method implies an intermittent injection of a voltage pulse in the d-axis of the motor. The resulting d-current response is a function of both the initial value of the d-current itself and the magnetization level of the magnets. Thus, a temperature dependent variation in the magnetization level of the permanent magnets is reflected in a variation of the d-current slope upon the voltage pulse. Experimental validation of the method is demonstrated with surface permanent-magnet motor.