Three types of high-performance permanent magnet (PM) machines have been designed and analyzed in order to determine the ideal candidate for high speed traction application. The surface PM machine, spoke PM machine and interior PM machine were compared in terms of performances and capabilities at high speed operation. Finite element analysis was used for accurate performances prediction. For the sake of accuracy, the amount and type of PM and the stator structure are maintained the same in the design process for all three machines.

Keywords: Electric motor, Permanent magnet (PM), High speed, Interior PM machines, Finite element (FE) methods, Traction