Design of high torque density variable flux permanent magnet machine using Alnico magnets

Abstract

The paper proposes a high torque density design for variable flux machines with Alnico magnets. The proposed design uses tangentially magnetized magnets in order to achieve high air gap flux density and to avoid demagnetization by the armature field. Barriers are also inserted in the rotor to limit the armature flux and to allow the machine to utilize both reluctance and magnet torque components. An analytical procedure is first applied to obtain the initial machine design parameters. Then several modifications are applied to the stator and rotor designs through finite element simulations (FEA) in order to improve the machine efficiency and torque density.