Permanent Magnet Selections for AFPM Disc Generators

Abstract

In this article, the field (FEM) and analytical analyses were used for the optimal selection of magnets material for the Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Generator (AFPMG), without building the prototype before. The tested generator is an axial flux machine which consists of a single stator and two rotor discs with Permanent Magnets (PM). Three-dimensional (3D) ANSYS Maxwell package was used for magnetostatic and transient field (FEM) simulations. Two types of PM were selected for the analysis: Ceramic (also known as “Ferrite”) magnets made from Strontium Ferrite powder and Neodymium Iron Boron magnets (NdFeB). The authors compared obtained electromotive forces (EMF) and generator powers for selected magnets materials, performed FFT analyses of voltages and currents and indicated the optimal solutions. In addition to the operational properties of the AFPMG, the magnet and manufacturing costs were compared.