Experimental and theoretical analysis of magnetic-thermal-mechanical coupling of permanent magnet coupling

Permanent magnet coupling (PMC) generates a large amount of thermal energy due to the eddy current induced in the metal isolation cylinder, resulting in performance degradation. The magnetic-thermal-mechanical coupling analysis has an important impact on the design and operation of PMC devices. In this paper, the Maxwell equations are solved based on the separated variable method; the 3D eddy current loss and magnetic torque equations are proposed; and the electrical conductivity, the convective heat transfer coefficient, and the magnetic-thermal-mechanical properties of PMC are presented. The 3D analytical coupling model calculates the temperature field and presents an uneven distribution of temperature along the coolant flow direction, and it then obtains a more precise magnetic field and torque under various temperatures. Furthermore, the working conditions such as rotor speed, coolant flow rate, and applied load are taken into consideration in the 3D analytical model. The results show that the eddy current loss is proportional to the square of the speed. With an increase in the load, the eddy current decreases. However, with an increase in the coolant flow, more eddy current loss would be produced, but the generated heat would be taken away by the increased coolant flow, resulting in a decrease in the temperature. The 3D analytical coupling model results are in good agreement with the experimental data, which is helpful to the design and optimization of the PMC system.