Thermal characteristics of an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor with various types of helical water-cooling channels

The thermal characteristics of a 210-kW interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) with various types of helical water-cooling channels were investigated using a three-dimensional finite element method. The water-cooling channels were enclosed by an aluminum frame attached to the stator to reduce the temperature of each part of the IPMSM. A numerical analysis was performed by varying the flow velocity of the coolant in the cooling channels to identify the effects of laminar and turbulent flows. The water-cooling channel of the IPMSM was validated by maintaining the temperatures of the NdFeB magnets, windings, and frame within the permissible temperature limits.