Modelling and simulation of electromagnetic audible noise generated by traction motors

Abstract: An annoying tonal noise is produced by modern electrical trains duringacceleration and deceleration. This noise is caused by electromagneticforces generating structural vibrations, especially from the traction motors.The electromagnetic noise is dominant at low train speeds and affectsboth the passengers on the train and on platforms, as well as peopleliving near the track. The focus on this issue has increased the last years,both regarding legislation, contractual requirements and also because ofexpectations from citizens and travelers. To be able to design low noiseelectric drive systems, a thorough understanding of the cause and thepossibility to predict the electromagnetic noise is needed. This thesisdescribes the modelling and simulation of an complete multi-physicsreal-time environment for prediction and analysis of the electromagneticnoise. The simulation results are validated against measurements of thestructural vibration and acoustic response of a real traction motor fed bya power converter running in the entire operational range.