This paper presents a finite element investigation into the proximity losses in a high-speed permanent magnet (PM) machine for traction applications. A three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis (FEA) is employed to evaluate and identify the endwinding contribution into the overall winding power loss generated. The study is focused on the end-winding effects that have not been widely reported in the literature. The calculated results confirm that the end-winding copper loss can significantly affect the eddycurrent loss within copper and it should be taken into account to provide reasonable prediction of total losses. Several structures of the end-winding are analyzed and compared in respect to the loss and AC resistance. The results clearly demonstrate that the size of the end-winding has a significant impact on the power loss. The calculated results are validated experimentally on the high-speed permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) prototype for selected various winding arrangements.

Fractional-slot concentrated-winding permanent magnet synchronous machines (FSCW-PMSMs) have a good prospect of application in the drive system of electric and hybrid electric vehicles. However, the armature magnetomotive force (MMF) of FSCWPMSM contains a large number of space harmonics, which induce large magnet eddycurrent loss (ECL). To solve this problem, a dual three-phase 10-pole and 24-slot winding layout is proposed.MMFharmonic analysis shows that the 1st, 7th and 17th space-harmonic winding factors of the proposed winding can be reduced by 100%, 87% and 87% respectively, compared with a dual three-phase 10-pole and 12-slot winding. Electromagnetic performances of the proposed machine under rated sinusoidal current supply and space vector pulse-width-modulated (SVPWM) voltage supply are investigated based on 2D finite-element analysis. It is shown that the proposed machine can meet the requirement of torque and efficiency in the full speed range. Especially, magnet ECL can be reduced greatly due to the reduction of the 7th and 17th space harmonics.