Transient Modeling of Induction Motors considering Space Harmonics and Saturation Effects

This paper presents a transient mathematical model for induction motors based on space harmonics and saturation effects. The model is based on the calculation of the phase-linked magnetic flux accounting for the geometry and physical dimensions of the stator and rotor windings, other than the magnetic steel saturation characteristic. The space-harmonic components of the magnetic induction are calculated at each time-step considering the currents in the stator windings and in the rotor bars as well as the rotor position. The electromagnetic torque is computed as well. The model is validated by comparison with a co-simulation approach that uses finite element calculus in transient mode. Method accuracy and effects of simplifications are investigated both in static and transient behavior. The case study and the presented results refer to a prototypal induction motor for high power electric vehicles.