Improve Modeling, Control, and Health Monitoring of an e-Motor Applying an Integrated Flux Sensing Array: Concepts and Design

Knowing the magnetic flux inside an electric machine can provide valuable information, as it allows for monitoring the actual behavior of the motor during operation. This leads to more accurate torque delivery and enables prognostic and state-of-health analyses. By integrating Hall-effect sensors inside an e-motor, it is possible to measure the magnetic flux and gain all the benefits from this information, such as accurate torque, rotor position and speed, and magnets' temperature. This paper describes the design of an e-motor with an integrated flux sensing array (ISA), including all surrounding models and software solutions for efficient motor control, integrating health monitoring and failure prevention. The focus is on the analyses performed to estimate the magnetic flux linkage and determine the optimal sensor placement, the control architectures that can benefit from a more accurate flux estimation, and the design of the e-machine to integrate the flux sensors. The aim is to describe the demonstrator developed to compare the benefits of direct motor flux measurement in terms of controllability and to analyze motor behavior under various operating conditions, enabling the estimation of remaining useful life and anticipating failures.