Influence of Magnetic Properties on the Performance of Dual Stator Electric Machine: Part I

Abstract

The influence of magnetic properties on the output characteristics of a high performance dual stator permanent magnet machine is studied in this work, in order to provide adequate guide for electric machine operators on magnetic material selection. Finite element analysis technique is adopted in the performance evaluation, owing to its high level of prediction accuracy. The investigated machine indices are: flux linkage, induced-voltage and torque characteristics. More so, the considered magnetic properties are the residual flux density and coercive force of the following magnets: Ferrite, Aluminium-Nickel-Cobalt (Alnico), Neodymium alloy (NdFeB), and Samarium-Cobalt (SmCo). It is observed that an electric machine that has NdFeB magnet would outperform others having other magnet types, due to its good residual flux density and potential high energy density. The worst machine performance is observed in the machine that has ferrite magnetic material. The obtained peak value of induced-voltage from the ferrite, alnico, SmCo and NdFeB magnets is: 2.35 V, 2.67 V, 5.86 V and 6.12 V, respectively with resultant average torque of 1.35 Nm, 1.44 Nm, 3.07 Nm and 3.30 Nm, respectively, at rated current condition.