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Title
Design of a low-voltage permanent magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance motor for a compact underwater thruster in USV applications

ISSN printed: 1733-8670, ISSN on-line: 2392-0378
Prajzendanc, Paweł1; Sawicki, Seweryn2; Cichowicz, Michał3
URI: https://repository.pm.szczecin.pl/handle/123456789/2909
2026-06-30
This paper presents the electromagnetic design and evaluation of a low-voltage permanent magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance motor (PMaSynRM) intended for a compact underwater thruster in USV applications. The study addresses a propulsion motor required to operate at 3000 rpm and 0.6 N m under a maximum direct-current (DC) supply voltage of 14 V, with a rated phase current of 15 A (peak) and a short-time overload capability of 30 A (peak). Following a review of electrical machine topologies used in compact underwater propulsion, PMaSynRM is adopted as the target machine topology for a constrained low-voltage thruster drive. The design procedure focused on the electromagnetic sizing of a 24-slot, 4-pole machine under strict voltage and geometric limitations, including the selection of the main dimensions, winding configuration and rotor structure. A finite element analysis (FEA) was then used to evaluate magnetic saturation, shaft torque, torque ripple, efficiency and loss distribution under rated and overload conditions. The results show that the designed machine meets the required operating point, while the application of a stator skew reduces torque ripple with only a slight reduction in average torque. The highest efficiency is obtained in the vicinity of the rated operating region, whereas the overload operation is limited by increased magnetic saturation. At a rated current, copper losses dominate the loss balance, while core and excess losses remain significantly lower. The results indicate that PMaSynRM is a viable design option for compact low-voltage underwater thruster drives subject to strict voltage and space constraints.
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Title

Design of a low-voltage permanent magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance motor for a compact underwater thruster in USV applications

Pages

Figures

8

Tables

1

ISSN printed

1733-8670

ISSN on-line

2392-0378

DOI

10.17402/682

Type

Original scientific article

Journal

86 Scientific Journals of the Maritime University of Szczecin, no. 86 / 2026

Publisher

Scientific Journals Maritime University of Szczecin, Zeszyty Naukowe Politechniki Morskiej w Szczecinie

Copyright Holder

Scientific Journals Maritime University of Szczecin, Zeszyty Naukowe Politechniki Morskiej w Szczecinie

Published

2026-06-30

Recieved

2026-03-25

Accepted

2026-04-24

Funding

No data

Keywords

electrical machine design, PM-assisted synchronous reluctance motor (PMaSynRM), permanent magnet (PM) machines, finite element analysis (FEA), underwater thruster, unmanned surface vehicle (USV)

URI:

https://repository.pm.szczecin.pl/handle/123456789/2909

Language

English

Authors

Prajzendanc, Paweł1; Sawicki, Seweryn2; Cichowicz, Michał3

Affiliation

1 Maritime University of Szczecin, Faculty of Mechatronics and Electrical Engineering 2 Willowa St., 71-650 Szczecin, Poland, p.prajzendanc@pm.szczecin.pl
2 Maritime University of Szczecin, Faculty of Mechatronics and Electrical Engineering 2 Willowa St., 71-650 Szczecin, Poland, 29868@s.pm.szczecin.pl
3 West Pomeranian University of Technology, Doctoral School, Faculty of Electrical Engineering 37 Sikorskiego St., 70–313 Szczecin, Poland, michal.cichowicz@zut.edu.pl

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