Optimal rotor poles and structure for design of consequent pole permanent magnet flux switching machine

Permanent magnet flux switching machines (PMFSM) have attracted significant research interest and are considered as competent candidates when higher torque density is primary requirement. However, conventional PMFSMs uses excessive rare earth PM volumes which ultimately increases machine the machine weight and PM cost. Moreover, the PMs extended at the stator yoke results in stator leakage flux which degrades the performance. To suppress the leakage flux and diminish the PM volume, the consequent pole PMFSM (CPPMFSM) with flux bridges and barriers encompassing partitioned circumferential and radial magnetized PMs is proposed, thereby ensuring an alternate magnetic path for the working harmonics which improves the modulation effect and flux distribution. Moreover, the influence of the rotor pole number on seven different rotor structures namely, curved rotor, trapezoidal rotor, wide rotor tooth tip, wide rotor base width, rectangular segmented and eccentric rotors are investigated based on the electromagnetic performance and stress distribution. Finite element analysis (FEA) reveals that the 12S-13P CPPMFSM with a wider rotor base offers comparatively better electromagnetic performance. Compare to the conventional PMFSM, the proposed CPPMFSM reduces the PM volume which minimizes the overall machine cost and weight, suppresses the torque ripples by 16.49%, diminishes total harmonic distortion (THD) by 35.24% and decreases cogging torque by 32.88%. Furthermore, the torque and power density are enhanced by 7.028% and 7.025% respectively. © 2017 CMP.