How to assign current to a motor simulation?

Altair Forum User

Hi,

 

I am VERY new to Altair Flux, and I am using a student license, and as such I have been looking everywhere for some... tutorials. I am interested in simulating and measuring torque, and flux, for switched reluctance motor (SRM). However, I am having trouble with the most basic thing for a motor: how do I simulate the phase/coils and their currents? I am trying to do a 2D simulation.

 

From this cogging torque tutorial from the official channel, I can't see at any point the author assigning current values, only modifying the physical dimensions of the BLDC. But I really need to simulate the current to create torque for an SRM. Basically, I wanted to imitate the youtube video, but where is the part where I assign current values?

 

i am sorry if this question is basic, but I am just having trouble finding good tutorials (or documentation) for my specific problem.

 

Thanks!

Alejandro Rodríguez

Hello,

The reason why you are not finding the currents definition in this example is that they are no needed at all,  since the cogging torque is only due to the interaction between the rotor's magnets and the stator slots. In fact, this is the simplest simulation you can carried out using a given motor geometry.

In your case, you should define a circuit (menu Physics -> Circuit -> Circuit editor context) and then linked the coil's surfaces with a stranded coil conductor in the circuit side.

Anyway, if you are searching for tutorials you have many of them in Flux Supervisor! They will explain you how to build your motor step-by-step, including all the Flux project and very detailed explanations in both, pdf and in ppt.  

In your case, I advise you to choose in Flux Supervisor (2D) -> Open example -> Technical tutorials -> Brushless IPM motor (embedded magnets), where you will find a very detailed example, including cogging torque calculation but also back EMF and motor performances under different working conditions. (Please, see image attached).

Best regards,

 

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

Altair Forum User

Huh, this is very interesting. So there's a different module to simulate circuits...

 

What if I wanted to input a specific current value and measure the inductance or display flux lines for different rotor positions, is that possible? Im interested with this because that's the principle that makes an SRM work. I'm just somewhat used to Ansys Workbench where you can define a geometry as a 'coil' for that phase and enter some boundary condition current.

 

Thanks for the reply, I didn't even know about Flux Supervisor.

Alejandro Rodríguez

Hello,

 

In fact, you can do all these things you have asked for (inductance simulation for different currents,  rotor position and saturation levle, display flux lines at any instant,etc.)

 

Please, look at the example I have talked you about in the Flux Supervisor ( Flux Supervisor (2D) -> Open example -> Technical tutorials -> Brushless IPM motor (embedded magnets) ). There, you will find very detailed explanation about how to calculate all these variables.

Best regards.