Design and Optimization of Brushless DC Motor for Electric Boat Thruster

Abstract

This research provided a detailed examination, which was used to develop a Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motor for Indonesia's Electric Boat Conversion Program, specifically focusing on reducing cogging torque. Several approaches, including stator skewing, were examined while considering manufacturing complexities and costs. A novel methodology was used to determine the optimal skew angle, considering the limitations of allowable cogging torque, which was set at 10% of the rated torque based on prior research and the manufacturing process. The result showed that a skew angle of 6° outperformed empirical calculations at 15°. Mechanical evaluations also showed that the natural frequency remained within acceptable limits at the 6° skew angle. Therefore, a skew angle of 6° was recommended for the 10 kW BLDC motor used in electric boat applications. This research contributed to advancing motor design for electric boat conversions, effectively balancing performance optimization with manufacturing feasibility.