Multiphysics Thermoacoustic Modelling of Three-Phase Squirrel-Cage Induction Motors Using Finite Element Method: A Unified Approach for Heat Transfer, Vibration, and Noise Prediction

This paper presents a novel multiphysics finite element Modelling approach for the thermoacoustic analysis of three-phase squirrel-cage induction motors. The proposed unified model couples electromagnetic, thermal, structural, and acoustic phenomena to predict temperature distribution, mechanical vibrations, and radiated noise simultaneously. Unlike conventional approaches that treat these phenomena separately, our methodology establishes direct relationships between internal thermal distribution and acoustic emissions, enabling the identification of critical zones responsible for motor noise. The model incorporates Joule losses, iron losses, mechanical losses, and their acoustic influence through a comprehensive 3D finite element formulation. Validation through parametric studies demonstrates the effectiveness of rotor bar drilling as a thermal management and noise reduction strategy, achieving up to a 30% temperature reduction and 4.2 dB noise attenuation. The results provide new insights for predictive maintenance applications and motor design optimization.