Single Rotor, Dual Stator Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Motor Design, Analysis and Test

Abstract

The Axial Flux Permanent Magnet (AFPM) motor is a unique machine topology which possesses advantages over Radial Field Permanent Magnet (RFPM) machines. Over the last several decades this uniqueness has garnered interest, yet RFPM motors continue to be to most prevalent PM motor topology in industry. This thesis will investigate the Single Rotor, Dual slotted Stator (SRDS) topology with integralslot windings for comparison against more conventional Single Rotor, Single Stator (SRSS) RFPM machines.

To facilitate investigation of the SRDS AFPM motor, this thesis reviews and extends existing RFPM analytical modeling techniques for application and use in AFPM machines. During developing of analytical modeling equations an alternative method for prediction of no-load Back-Electromotive Force (BEMF) waveforms will be developed for comparison against classical finite element predictions. An in-depth review of phase self-inductance calculations as well as overall machine performance calculations will be carried out.

In addition to analytical modeling, this thesis will investigate Two Dimensional (2D) Finite Element (FE) representations of the SRDS axial field motor. This exploration aims to address the inherent Three Dimensional (3D) nature of AFPM motors and quantify the accuracy of 2D modeling techniques, relative to analytic and 3D predictions. Lastly, a prototype SRDS AFPM will be manufactured for comparison to analytical and finite element predictions.