Multi-physics modeling of noise emissions of a permanent magnet synchronous motor

Kurzfassung

The move toward climate-neutral aviation has accelerated the use of distributed electric propulsion (DEP) in regional aircraft. DEP systems have the potential to offer significant advantages in efficiency, emission reduction, and system redundancy; however, they also pose complex challenges due to underexplored noise and vibration emissions that affect cabin comfort and passenger experience. This study presents a detailed simulation framework to analyze noise generated by electric propulsion units, combining electromagnetic, structural, and acoustic models. A finite element method (FEM)-based numerical simulation is employed, where electromagnetic forces in the air gap between stator and rotor are computed from magnetic field data. These forces are transformed into the frequency domain and applied as excitations in a harmonic response analysis to predict steady-state vibrations of the motor structure. In addition, a modal analysis is used to identify the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the stator. The resulting vibration response is then used to simulate sound radiation into the surrounding medium. To validate the approach, a single permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) is modeled in a first step, and results are compared with data from literature. This validated model will support future studies of complex multi-motor configurations and possible synchronization challenges typical of DEP systems.