Multi-stage Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Research Articles

Comparison of A Multi-Stage Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Machine With Different Stator Core Materials

This paper proposes a multi-stage axial flux permanent magnet machine (MAFPMM) and the properties with different stator core materials are analyzed. The mentioned MAFPMM has three rotor-disks and two stator-disks. As a key part of the flux path, stator core of silicon steel sheet, soft magnetic composite (SMC) and amorphous magnetic metal (AMM) are studied by three dimensional (3-D) finite element method (FEM), respectively. The performances such as flux density distribution, no-load back-electromotive force (EMF), cogging torque, output torque, and core loss are analyzed. FEM results indicate that the three materials have almost equal influence on flux density distribution, no-load back-EMF, cogging torque, and output torque. But in terms of core loss, difference appears between silicon steel sheet, SMC and AMM. Considering the disadvantages in mechanical property of AMM and silicon steel sheet, a prototype is fabricated using SMC stator core. The FEM results are verified by the experimental results of the prototype.

Closed-form Method for Multi-stage Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Machine: Design and Analysis

Designing an axial flux permanent magnet machine is complex and computationally intensive. This paper proposes a new closed-form method for concurrent design and analysis of a multi-stage axial flux permanent magnet machine. The method will provide a simpler modeling solution to machine designers. By calculating magnetic and electric properties, the design space of an axial flux permanent magnet is created for initial design. This paper demonstrates the feasibility of the new closed-form method by showing that the results obtained from the proposed method correlate with the finite element analysis results. The design space is also evaluated and analyzed by taking into account various parameters, including copper losses, permanent magnet density, phase voltages, and torque waveform. Finally, a multi-objective analysis is performed to compare two different designs of an axial flux permanent magnet machine. The proposed method also provides a useful guide for the initial design state.

Design of a three-phase multistage axial flux permanent magnet generator for wind turbine applications

Presently, axial flux permanent magnet machines are becoming popular and are being deployed actively for low speed applications. This paper presents an improved model of a multistage axial flux permanent magnet generator (AFPMG). The multistage AFPMG consists of multiple stator and rotor discs. There are three identical 1-phase stator discs and four in-phase rotor discs in the proposed multistage AFPMG. In this research, 4 case studies were analyzed on the design of the multistage AFPMG. First, a phase shift model (PSM) positions the three 1-phase stator discs to behave as a 3-phase generator. Actually, the PSM computes phases for three stator discs in order to establish phase shift of 120$^{\circ}$ between each two phases. The implementation of the presented model in the multistage AFPMG reduces the diameter of the stator disc three times as compared to the conventional 3-phase AFPMG with identical rated specifications. Second, the voltage waveform of the AFPMG was analyzed for harmonic contents and the percentages of 3rd and 5th harmonics were computed. The test results show that 3rd and 5th harmonics were reduced to 10.7% and 0.54%, respectively, in voltage waveform. Third, the proposed multistage AFPMG was designed considering begin-to-end winding connections of the stator disc. While adopting begin-to-end connection, the number of poles of the AFPMG are doubled, which ultimately increases air-gap flux density and thus the terminal voltage of the stator disc and operating shaft speed is halved. The test results show that the torque-to-weight ratio parameter of the designed AFPMG was improved by using a begin-to-end connection for the stator disc. Fourth, the increased air-gap flux density also improves the power density parameter of the AFPMG with a begin-to-end winding connection. Moreover, a prototype model of a 1200-W multistage AFPMG was designed and fabricated while following PSM and begin-to-end winding connection and tested. Thus the test results verify the proposed model of the multistage AFPMG for wind turbine applications.

Design optimization of ironless multi-stage axial-flux permanent magnet generators for offshore wind turbines

ABSTRACTDirect-driven ironless-stator machines have been reported to have low requirements on the strength of the supporting structures. This feature is attractive for offshore wind turbines, where lightweight generators are preferred. However, to produce sufficient torque, ironless generators are normally designed with large diameters, which can be a challenge to the machine’s structural reliability. The ironless multi-stage axial-flux permanent magnet generator (MS-AFPMG) has the advantages of ironless machines but a relatively small diameter. The objective of this article is to present the design optimization and performance investigation of the ironless MS-AFPMG. An existing design strategy, which employs two- and three-dimensional static finite element analyses and genetic algorithm for machine optimization, is improved with the aim of reducing the calculation load and calculation time. This improved design strategy is used to investigate the optimal ironless MS-AFPMG. Some intrinsic features of this kind of machine are revealed.

Research of Asymmetrical Bidirectional Magnet Skewing Technique in Modular Multi-Stage Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor

In this paper, a new modular multi-stage axial flux permanent magnet synchronous motor is proposed for the traction motor applications, which has the features of slotted north–south-pole topology, segmented and yokeless stator, ellipsoidal similar Somaloy teeth, and flexible power circuits. To minimize the cogging torque, a cost-effective asymmetrical bidirectional magnet skewing (ABMS) technique is adopted in the motor. Various ABMS combinations are studied with different skew angles and cross positions. Both the theoretical analysis and finite-element method (FEM) illustrate that ABMS has both the skewing and phase shifting effects. Based on a 2 kW-1000 r/min, 10-pole 12-open-slot prototype, the experiments are developed. The results measured by experiments agree well with the ones predicated by 3-D FEM, which verifies the conclusions and design.