Impact of Cryogenic Temperature on Iron Losses of Interlocked Laminated Stators

In this study, by means of an ad-hoc experimental approach, the authors investigate potential impact of interlocks on the iron losses of laminated stator cores operated at cryogenic temperatures. In particular, the test campaign consisted of measurements at both room and cryogenic temperatures on three stator cores made of the same ferromagnetic material, but having different number of interlocks to pack the sheets. The experimental results show that in cryogenic conditions the core losses increase compared to room temperature, but the presence of interlocks seems to have no significant impact. Detailed models of the electrical contact zone between laminations due to the presence of interlocks are approached through 3D FEM simulations with the aim to replicate the empirical findings.