Sensitivity Analysis of the Design Parameters of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors for Vibration Reduction

Abstract

The use of electric motors, and particularly, Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors, is increasing in recent years, and their vibration response is one of the most crucial aspects regarding their behaviour. Thus, the reduction in vibrations is one of the key objectives when optimizing electric motors. In an initial design state, the influence of the main design parameters on the behaviour of the machines is not always clear. For that reason, this work presents a global sensitivity analysis procedure that allows identifying the most influential design parameters and determining guidelines to optimize the design of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors. First, the analytical calculations employed to estimate the electromagnetic torque and the vibration response of the machine are described. Then, the sensitivity analysis procedure, based on the Monte Carlo method, is presented, and the conditions to apply the method successfully and accurately are analysed. Finally, the sensitivity analysis is performed for a particular electric motor design, and some general design guidelines are deduced, which can be extrapolated to similar machines.