- Axial-flux permanent-magnet motors offer advantages over radial-flux motors, such as higher power density and torque-to-weight ratio. However, heat losses from AC/DC effects reduce motor efficiency and lead to high temperatures. The K-AXFLUX project addresses this by developing an axial-flux motor cooled with hydrogen gas flowing through hollow copper coils in the stator. Liquid hydrogen from a storage tank enters the coils, evaporates, and exits as gas, which is then sent to a fuel cell. Multi-physical simulation using COMSOL is developed to evaluate the cooling effect induced by the hydrogen flow and the resulting temperature distribution within the stator geometry. By exploiting sectoral symmetry, the simulation models turbulent hydrogen flow as well as heat transfer in the copper coil, stator and the surrounding air. The results show that the copper coil temperature remains below 293 K, indicating effective cooling by hydrogen gas, for the given set of flow parameters. Reduction ofAxial-flux permanent-magnet motors offer advantages over radial-flux motors, such as higher power density and torque-to-weight ratio. However, heat losses from AC/DC effects reduce motor efficiency and lead to high temperatures. The K-AXFLUX project addresses this by developing an axial-flux motor cooled with hydrogen gas flowing through hollow copper coils in the stator. Liquid hydrogen from a storage tank enters the coils, evaporates, and exits as gas, which is then sent to a fuel cell. Multi-physical simulation using COMSOL is developed to evaluate the cooling effect induced by the hydrogen flow and the resulting temperature distribution within the stator geometry. By exploiting sectoral symmetry, the simulation models turbulent hydrogen flow as well as heat transfer in the copper coil, stator and the surrounding air. The results show that the copper coil temperature remains below 293 K, indicating effective cooling by hydrogen gas, for the given set of flow parameters. Reduction of overall temperature in the copper coil is important as it improves electrical conductivity and reduces resistive heating, further enhancing motor efficiency. The simulation model provides a basis for further optimization using surrogate modelling and Bayesian techniques to improve the thermal efficiency of the axial-flux motor.…

