Improved synchronous machine thermal modelling

Abstract

It is well accepted nowadays that in synchronous machine design procedures thermal aspects should be weighed equally with electromagnetic issues and considered in an iterative manner. Synchronous machine thermal models are being constantly optimised and improved, and many design areas are well understood and documented. Even so, there are a number of thermal model design aspects that require significant further study and analysis. These aspects include accurate machine operational loss prediction, precise loss distribution, thermal model discretisation level issues and cooling air flow implications. They will be analysed in the paper, with future related investigations being identified.