Optimization and Analysis of a High Power Density and Fault Tolerant Starter–Generator for Aircraft Application

Wang, Bo; Vakil, Gaurang; Liu, Ye; Yang, Tao; Zhang, Zhuoran; Gerada, Chris

Abstract

Permanent magnet synchronous machines provide many dramatic electromagnetic performances such as high efficiency and high power density, which make them more competitive in aircraft electrification, whereas, designing a permanent magnet starter–generator (PMSG), with given consideration to fault tolerance (FT), is a significant challenge and requires great effort. In this paper, a comprehensive FT PMSG design process is proposed which is applied to power systems of turboprops. Firstly, potential slot/pole combinations were selected based on winding factor, harmonic losses and manufacture issues. Then, pursuing high power density, a multiple objective optimization process was carried out to comprehensively rank performances. To meet a fault tolerance target, electrical, magnetic and thermal isolation topologies were investigated and compared, among which 18 slot/12 pole with dual three-phase was selected as the optimal one, with a power density of 7.9 kW/kg. Finally, a finite element analysis verified the performance in normal and post-fault scenarios. The candidate machine has merits concerning high power density and post-fault performance.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 24, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Dec 28, 2020
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jan 18, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 18, 2021
• Journal: Energies
• Electronic ISSN: 1996-1073
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 113
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en14010113
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5243542
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/1/113