Preliminary study on a 3D field permanent magnet flux switching machine - from tubular to rotary configurations

A permanent magnet flux switching (PMFS) machine has a simple rotor, whilst both magnets and coils are set in the stator, resulting in easy removal of heat due to both copper loss and eddy current loss in magnets. However, the volume of magnets used in PMFS machines is usually larger than in conventional PM machines, and leakage flux does exist at the non-airgap side. To make full use of the magnets and gain higher power density, a novel 3-dimensional (3D) field PMFS machine is developed. It combines merits of the tubular linear machine, external-rotor rotary machine and axial-flux rotary machine, hence, offers high power density and peak torque capability, as well as efficient utility of magnets owing to the unique configuration of triple airgap fields.