Investigating the use of grain-oriented electrical steel in axial-flux switched reluctance machines

Abstract

This paper deals with the development of a simplified numerical model with the aim of assessing the impact of using grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES) in switched reluctance machine (SRM) on its performance. Different grades of steel are studied to firstly analyze their impact on the inductance and the electromagnetic torque change. Then, both the simplified model and the steel grades helped determine the level of contribution of anisotropy and high permeability individually. In this paper, the impact on electromagnetic torque is evaluated along with a local analyses of the flux lines distribution and the numerical model allows to draw conclusions on the device performance when anisotropy is introduced. Although the GOES numerical model used for finite elements simulations is not a fully developed model, it is accurate enough for our study. The originality of this paper lies in the fact that the developed model is relatively simple and accurate enough to investigate all the electromagnetic phenomena and draw conclusions which can be applicable to a more complex and time-consuming electromagnetic device. The second original aspect is the introduction of GOES in an axial flux SRM (AFSRM).