A General and Accurate Iron Loss Calculation Method Considering Harmonics Based on Loss Surface Hysteresis Model and Finite-Element Method

In order to predict the performance of designed electric machines, and also based on which the high efficiency of the drive systems can be obtained, the accurate calculation of the iron loss is necessary. Taking modeling accuracy versus modeling complexity into account, this article proposes a general and accurate iron loss calculation method considering harmonics based on the loss surface (LS) hysteresis model and finite-element method (FEM). Compared with the previous triangular wave excitation, this article uses the data under sinusoidal wave excitation to establish the LS model, which is more convenient for engineering application. A specimen is tested for different flux densities with harmonics, the extensive results verify the modeling method. Due to a powerful hysteresis model, the iron loss calculation can be realized by the direct integration of hysteresis loops. A separated iron loss calculation package is developed, and it is combined with the commercial finite-element software to compute the iron loss distribution. The method that combines the LS model and FEM is proved feasible by comparing the calculated iron loss with the measured one for the Epstein frame.