Magnet and core loss in a radial flux and a transverse flux PM traction motor

Abstract

Verified simulation models both in 2D and 3D are used to compare a radial flux machine (IPM) with a transverse flux machine (TFM) for a traction application. The analysis highlights the importance of a dense mesh and a high number of time steps when calculating core and magnet loss. It also shows the practical handling of loss modelling in 2D and 3D respectively, including a stacking factor for the core lamination and magnet segmentation, and it is recommended that you are careful when comparing losses from 2D and 3D models. The TFM is shown to have much higher magnet loss compared to the IPM although the TFM magnet design (with ring magnets) makes segmentation very effective. However, the efficiency is still favorable for the TFM, compared to the IPM due to the relatively low copper loss in the TFM ring coil.