Analysis and optimization of a 12/14 double-stator flux-switching machine using low cost magnet

Flux-switching permanent magnet (FSPM) machine attracted a great deal of attention for industrial applications owing to its high efficiency and high torque/power densities. However, on the downside, it suffers from high cost of rare-earth permanent magnets (REPMs). Although employing ferrite magnets remarkably reduces the cost of material, ferrite magnet lower energy product will negatively affect the electromagnetic performance of this machine. As a solution, the double-stator flux-switching permanent magnet (DSFSPM) machine has been presented in this paper to improve the electromagnetic performance of a conventional ferrite based FSPM counterpart. In this regard, a new analytical approach followed by a brief discussion of the influence of rotor pole number on the electromagnetic performance of two DSFSPM machines with 10- and 14-pole rotors are studied. It is shown that 12/14 DSFSPM machine with ferrite magnets generates almost 30% more developed torque than the other with 10-pole rotor. Then, a comprehensive comparison on the electromagnetic performances of a 12/14 DSFSPM machine with ferrite magnets, and two 12/14 FSPM machines with REPMs and ferrite magnets are investigated by finite element method. Besides, a cost study highlights the monetary beneficial of the proposed 12/14 DSFSPM machine for the competitive EVs market. Furthermore, a laboratory scale 12/14 DSFSPM machine is designed based on analytical approach, optimized by Taguchi optimization method, and experimentally tested to validate both analytical and FEM results.