Characteristics investigation of a new type AFPM machine according to the geometric structure of rotor using 3D FEM

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the performance characteristics analysis of a new type axial flux permanent magnet (AFPM) machine according to the geometric structure of rotor such as permanent magnet dimension, the air‐gap length and so on.Design/methodology/approach – The 3D finite element method (FEM) is used to analyse electromagnetic fields with the aid of an ANSYS software package. The FEM is based on the magnetic vector potential and the governing equation can be obtained from the Maxwell equation. Using the dynamometer system, the characteristics of the AFPM machine were estimated according to load torque.Findings – The AFPM machine characteristics with static torque, cogging torque and flux density according to rotor geometric dimensions are analyzed using a 3D FEM software package. And then, the prototype of an AFPM machine and several rotors with different PM structure are manufactured and tested. Resulting from the experiment, the characteristics such as EMF waveform, speed a...