Modeling and Sizing of a Synchronous Actuator

To reduce our CO2 emissions, key transport industries (automotive, aeronautics, etc.) are seeking to develop innovative transportation solutions. Most of these solutions are electric, and these electric motors are mainly based on synchronous motors.

This Teaching Unit will:

• Provide students with the scientific and technological knowledge needed to model and size a synchronous actuator for specific applications related to the field of electric propulsion.
• Provide the theoretical knowledge necessary to understand the physical phenomena intrinsic to the operation of synchronous motors (electromagnetic, electrical, thermal, mechanical).
• Define and study the different topologies and configurations of synchronous actuators (windings, rotors, etc.).
• Develop modeling methods that enable understanding of synchronous motor control.
• Will present a method for sizing a synchronous magnet actuator. She will combine this method with finite element software to verify the sizing.
• Provide knowledge in order to see the impact of such an actuator on the energy transition and the environment.

Finally, the practical part will implement the measurement methods and techniques necessary for the study, modeling of electromagnetic components, and control of synchronous motors. Application work, in which the measurements taken are subsequently used with scientific software (Excel, Matlab, FEMM, etc.), will serve to apply the course material. This topic may be offered as a Master 2 project.

The objective of this teaching unit is to enable students to draw on their class and practical work hours to meet specifications for the study, dimensioning, and design of a synchronous motor and its control system. This teaching unit should enable students to join a design office or research laboratory to study and design actuators.

Students must be able to define the different topologies and components of a synchronous actuator, and know how to study and model phenomena related to the materials used in machines (magnets, ferromagnetic materials, etc.) and related phenomena (iron losses, Joule losses, etc.).

Students must be familiar with control architectures and methods for characterizing actuators with a view to modeling them. Finally, they must be able to use the simulation software used in machine design and control, and apply the proposed models.

Master's degree in the early years or five years of higher education in science and technology, with courses on the basic principles of how electrical machines work and the theoretical foundations of electromagnetism and magnetostatics.

Have knowledge of the basic concepts of power electronics and electrical energy converters for actuator control.

Know the mathematical methods for solving a magnetostatic problem.

Recommended prerequisites:

Have completed UE HAE706E Energy Conversion Systems from the Master 1 EEA program.

Completion of UE HAE805E Energy Production and Network Modeling in the Master 1 EEA program, specializing in Electrical Energy, Environment, and System Reliability.

Continuous assessment unit for the course and practical work.

70% for the course and 30% for the practical work component

1. Introduction: Actuators in the energy transition. Electric propulsion, aeronautical applications. Carbon footprint and eco-design. Actuator reliability.
2. Electromagnetism refresher: basic laws of physics, study of magnetic circuits, induction, calculation of f.m.m., magnetic energy, virtual work
3. Magnetic materials: properties, characteristics, uses. Modeling of a magnet, modeling of a hysteresis cycle. Calculations of iron losses and Joule losses in electric actuators.
4. Definition of windings in electrical machines. Calculations of winding characteristics.
5. Inductors in electric actuators.
6. General and in-depth principles of magnetic field coupling within an electric machine (virtual work, power balance, Maxwell tensor, etc.). The intrinsic operating limits of electric machines. Design and dimensioning of synchronous magnet actuators.
7. Modeling of a synchronous actuator. Electric motor and definition. Characterization and testing of an actuator. Finite element simulation of an actuator.
8. Principle of synchronous motor control. Actuator operating cycle. Review of the DC brushless control principle. AC brushless control principle. Control architecture in normal and degraded mode.

CM: 6 p.m.

Practical work: 24 hours