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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel type of switched flux PM machines with two separate stators. Design/methodology/approach – 2D-FEA is employed to analyze the electromagnetic performance of the proposed machines. Moreover, the results are validated by experiments. Findings – The proposed machine has higher torque density, less unbalanced magnetic force on the modulating steel piece and uses less PM volume. Originality/value – The proposed machine is a low-cost novel topology with different rotor pole combinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Due to high electromagnetic torque at low speed, vernier machines are suitable for direct-drive applications such as electric vehicles and wind power generators. The purpose of this paper is to present an exact sub-domain model for analytically predicting the open-circuit magnetic field of permanent magnet vernier machine (PMVM) including tooth tips. The entire field domain is divided into five regions, viz. magnets, air gap, slot openings, slots, and flux-modulation pole slots (FMPs). The model accounts for the influence of interaction between PMs, FMPs and slots, and radial/parallel magnetization. Design/methodology/approach – Magnetic field distributions for slot and air-gap, flux linkage, back-EMF and cogging torque waveforms are obtained from the analytical method and validated by finite element analysis (FEA). Findings – It is found that the developed sub-domain model including tooth tips is very accurate and is applicable to PMVM having any combination of slots/FMPs/PMs. Originality/value – The main contributions include: accurate sub-domain model for PMVM is proposed for open-circuit including tooth-tip which cannot be accounted for in literature; the model accounts the interaction between flux modulation pole (FMP) and slot; developed sub-domain model is accurate and applicable to any slot/FMP/PM combinations; and it has investigated the influence of FMP/slot opening width/height on cogging torque. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The paper purposes a novel SFPM machine topology with radial and circumferential permanent magnets (PMs). The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach – In order to reduce the flux leakage in the stator-outer region and consequently achieve higher magnetic material utilization in switched flux permanent magnet (SFPM) machine, a novel topology with radial and circumferential PMs is proposed. This topology (SFRCPM) has the same structure as conventional SFPM (CSFPM) machine except of the additional set of radially magnetized PMs located around the back iron and surrounded by a laminated ring frame. Using finite element analysis (FEA) the influence of the design parameters on the performance is investigated in order to obtain an effective optimization procedure. Internal and external rotor SFRCPM machines with either NdFeB or ferrite magnets are investigated, optimized and compared with the CSFPM machine having the same size, copper loss and stator/rotor pole combination. Findings – It is concluded that comparing SFRCPM with its CSFPM machine counterpart, internal rotor SFRCPM machine can achieve high PM flux-linkage per magnet volume, however reduced slot area leads to low output torque, whereas external rotor SFRCPM machine can produce higher torque and torque per magnet volume. Originality/value – This paper proposes a novel SFPM machine topology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – An analytical sub-domain model is developed for predicting the armature magnetic field in permanent magnet vernier machine (PMVM) which has either non-overlapping or overlapping windings. The developed model accounts for tooth-tips and flux modulation pole slots (FMPs). The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – It is obtained by solving Poisson’s and Laplace’s equations in polar coordinates for each sub-domain, i.e. air gap, slots, slot openings at tooth-tips and FMP slots. Armature reaction field distributions in slots, slot openings FMPs, air-gap and magnet region and winding inductances are obtained from the analytical method and compared by finite element analysis. Findings – It is found that the developed model can be employed to accurately predict the armature field and winding inductance for any combination of slots/FMPs/permanent magnets. In addition, it is observed that the winding inductance is high which results in significant armature reaction and poor power factor in PMVM. Originality/value – The main contributions include: first, accurate sub-domain model for PMVM is proposed for armature reaction which is not addressed in literature; second, the model accounts the interaction between FMP and slot; and finally, developed sub-domain model is also used for inductance calculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – In this paper, the partitioned stator flux reversal permanent magnet (PM) (PS-FRPM) machines with Halbach array PMs are investigated to compare with the machine having the conventional parallel magnetized PMs, and conventional FRPM machine. This paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The Halbach array PM machines with 2-, 3-, and 4-segment and ideal Halbach array PMs have similar topology and designed based on the PS-FRPM with parallel magnetized PMs. The open circuit analysis and electromagnetic performance has been calculated and compares with the aid of finite element (FE) method, and validated by experiments. Findings – The PS-FRPMs with Halbach array PMs have higher back-EMF and torque performance, as well as lower cogging torque and torque ripple, all having significantly higher torque density than the FRPM machine with single stator. The experimental results and FE predicted results of the 2-segment Halbach PM prototype machine are compared and good agreement is achieved. Originality/value – This paper introduces the new concept and design of PS-FRPMs having Halbach array PMs with different PM segments and idea PM array. The comparison with conventional FRPM and PS-FRPM with parallel magnetized PMs shows the benefits with PS-FRPMs with Halbach array PMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Due to linear structure, linear switched flux permanent magnet machines (LSFPMMs) also may have odd pole primary, such as 9, 15, 21, etc., without unbalanced magnetic force in equivalent rotary machines. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – In order to increase the thrust force density, the influence of some major design parameters, including split ratio, PM thickness, primary slot width and secondary pole width, are investigated by finite element analysis. For reducing the thrust force ripple under on-load condition, the end auxiliary teeth are adopted and their positions are also optimized. Findings – This novel 9/10 primary/secondary poles LSFPMM has high average thrust force and low thrust force ripple by optimization. The results demonstrate that the odd pole primary may be a good candidate for long-stroke linear direct drive application. Originality/value – A novel 9/10 primary/secondary poles linear switched flux permanent magnet machine is developed in this paper. The similar conclusions could be obtained for other LSFPMMs with odd pole primary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]