Comparison between axial and radial flux PM coreless machines for flywheel energy storage

The need of a deeper understanding of coreless machines arises with new magnetic materials with higher remanent magnetization and the spread of high speed motors and generators. High energy density magnets allow complete ironless stator motor/generators configurations which are suitable for high speed machines and specifically in flywheel energy storage. Axial-flux and radial-flux machines are investigated and compared. The limits and merits of ironless machines are presented. An analytic solution of Maxwell's equations is used to calculate the properties of axial-flux and radial-flux ironless generators. This method is used to investigate the influence of several parameters such as diameter and airgap width. Two machines have been calculated with FEM techniques and results are compared to validate the analytic method. Simulations conclude that end winding effects are more significant for axial-flux than for radial flux topologies. Radial-flux machines are more suitable for high speed ironless stators. The optimum values of some machine parameters are significantly different for ironless machines in comparison to slotted and slotless machines, such as outer radius to inner radius for axial-flux topologies. High speed coreless machines for energy storage and other applications required SD FEM analysis for accurate results.