Magnetic equivalent circuit models using global reluctance networks methodology for design of permanent magnet flux switching machine

Abstract

Unique features of permanent magnet synchronous machines, conventional DC machines, and switched reluctance machines are combined in the form of Flux-Switching Machine (FSM). Magnetic saturation and complex structure of FSM compels designers to adopt numerical methods of analysis i.e. Finite Element Analysis (FEA). FEA is not preferred for initial design due to its computational complexity. Fourier analysis (FA) and Magnetic Equivalent Circuit (MEC) models are alternate analytical methods to analyze FSM. Results of FA for FSM are less accurate due to magnetic saturation. MEC models with Global Reluctance Network (GRN) methodology is a good compromise between accurate results and computational time, and is recommended for preliminary FSM design. In this paper, MEC models of proposed twelve-stator-slot and ten-rotor-tooth (12/10) with trapezoidal slot structure FSM corresponding to different rotor positions are combined as GRN and are solved utilizing incidence matrix methodology using MATLAB. Moreover, FSM flux simulations and no-load analysis were performed using JMAG software and validated with FEA. Comparison of results obtained from GRN methodology and corresponding FEA results shows errors less than ∼2%, hence validating accuracy of GRN methodology.