Thermal characterization through finite element analysis of the switched reluctance motor

Abstract

This paper reports on the thermal analysis carried out on a switched reluctance motor (SRM) by finite element (FE) methods. Thermal calculations, especially in nonconventional machines in which there is only limited information about heat dissipation, is an important stage in machine design. SRM is such a machine hence necessitating a defined methodology to carry out thermal analysis; this paper intensely attempts and provides a simulation method for thermal analysis. The thermal flux plot, the isothermal distribution, thermal gradients in different parts of SRM at its different rotor positions and the respective governing equation are presented. It is believed that this is the first time, a full length paper is totally devoted to discuss in simple terms the thermal distribution in SRM through FE methods.