Composite Thermal Modeling for Electrical Machine Temperature Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal models for electrical machines connected to other devices, such as power converters, lack accuracy in predicting temperature and heat distribution, leading to inadequate monitoring and control.
Innovation Solution
A method to generate a composite thermal model by connecting geometric entities of individual thermal models for the electrical machine and the device, adjusting thermal impedances and heat sources based on measured and estimated temperatures, to achieve an accurate representation of the system's thermal behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If individual thermal models are connected to form a composite thermal model, then the system thermal behavior can be represented, but the accuracy of temperature prediction deteriorates due to incorrect connection assumptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an iterative optimization process where measured temperatures from the actual system are continuously compared with estimated temperatures from the composite thermal model. The temperature differences serve as feedback signals to adjust thermal impedance parameters, progressively improving prediction accuracy. This closed-loop feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling accurate temperature prediction while maintaining system-level thermal behavior representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts thermal impedance parameters between geometric entities based on observed temperature deviations. By changing these thermal parameters iteratively to minimize the difference between measured and estimated temperatures, the system achieves accurate temperature prediction while preserving the composite model's ability to represent overall system thermal behavior.
2Adaptability or versatility
If thermal connections are established between geometric entities of different thermal models, then integrated system modeling is achieved, but model complexity increases requiring iterative optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the segmented structure of individual thermal models for the electrical machine and the device, connecting them through defined geometric entities and thermal impedances. This segmentation approach enables integrated system modeling while keeping each component model relatively simple and manageable, avoiding the need for a completely complex monolithic model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic parameter adjustment where thermal impedances are optimized iteratively based on temperature measurement feedback. This dynamic adaptation allows the model to achieve high accuracy without requiring static structural complexity, as the simplicity of the initial model structure is compensated by adaptive parameter tuning during operation.
3Measurement precision
If thermal impedance values are adjusted to improve temperature prediction accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but the ease of model generation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-adjusting mechanism where the composite thermal model automatically optimizes its own thermal impedance parameters using measured temperature data from the actual system. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual parameter tuning or complex model generation procedures, as the model autonomously improves its accuracy through iterative optimization based on operational feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses temperature measurement feedback to drive automatic parameter optimization. The system continuously compares measured and estimated temperatures, using the resulting errors to adjust thermal impedance values automatically. This feedback-driven approach improves temperature prediction accuracy while maintaining ease of model generation, as the optimization process is automated rather than requiring manual intervention.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for the determination of accurate connections between thermal models, resulting in a precise composite thermal model that effectively monitors and controls the thermal behavior of the electrical machine and device, ensuring all estimated temperatures align with measured values within an acceptable range.
Implementation Method 1
each connection comprising at least one of a heat source and a thermal impedance
Implementation Method 2
each thermal impedance comprises at least one of a thermal resistance and a thermal capacitance
Implementation Method 3
each connection comprising at least one of a heat source and a thermal impedance
Data Source
AI summary
A method of generating, from a first thermal model describing the individual thermal behaviour of an electrical machine and a second thermal model describing the individual thermal behaviour of a device, a composite thermal model describing the thermal behaviour of a system having the electrical machine connected to the device, the method including: a) connecting at least one geometric entity of one of the first thermal model and the second thermal model to a plurality of geometric entities of the other one of the first thermal model and the second thermal model, each connection including at least one of a heat source and a thermal impedance, wherein the first thermal model and the second thermal model connected to each other form an initial composite thermal model, b) comparing measured temperatures with corresponding estimated temperatures obtained from the initial composite thermal model, and in case an estimated temperature deviates with more than a threshold value from a measured temperature, c) adjusting at least one of a thermal impedance and a heat source between a pair of geometric entities connected in step a).