Design and prototyping of an optimised axial-flux permanent-magnet synchronous machine

Author

Mahmoudi, Ali ; Kahourzade, Solmaz ; Rahim, N.A. ; Ping, Hew Wooi ; Uddin, M. Nasir

Author_Institution

UM Power Energy Dedicated Adv. Centre (UMPEDAC), Univ. of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Volume

7

Issue

5

fYear

2013

fDate

May-13

Firstpage

338

Lastpage

349

Abstract

This study presents the design and performance analysis of a prototype axial-flux permanent-magnet (AFPM) synchronous machine. First, the design of AFPM machine is optimised by genetic algorithm based sizing equation and finite element analysis. The design objectives of this machine are maximum power density, minimum total harmonic distortion (THD) of the sinusoidal back-electromotive force (back-EMF) waveform and low cogging torque. Based on the optimised design of the machine a prototype 1 kW, three-phase, 50 Hz, four-pole AFPM synchronous machine is built. Then, the performance of the prototype machine is tested to see the cogging torque, torque-speed characteristic, efficiency and the THD of the induced voltage. It is found that the prototype machine validates the design in terms of high-power density, lowest possible THD of the back-EMF, low cogging torque while maintaining high efficiency.

Keywords

electric potential; finite element analysis; genetic algorithms; harmonic distortion; permanent magnet machines; synchronous machines; FEA; THD; back-EMF waveform; cogging torque; design objectives; finite element analysis; four-pole AFPM synchronous machine; frequency 50 Hz; genetic algorithm based sizing equation; maximum power density; minimum total harmonic distortion; power 1 kW; prototype axial-flux permanent-magnet synchronous machine; sinusoidal back-electromagnetic force waveform; torque-speed characteristic;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Electric Power Applications, IET

Publisher

iet

ISSN

1751-8660

Type

jour

DOI

10.1049/iet-epa.2012.0377

Filename

6556384