Design optimization and comparative analysis of dual-stator flux-modulated machines

Abstract

This paper quantitatively compares three types of dual-stator flux-modulated (FM) permanent-magnet (PM) machines. Due to the dual-stator topology, these three machines can maximize their use of inner cavity space and achieve higher energy transmission than that of the single-stator one. Also, the flux-modulation feature can be exploited to produce the gear effect, so as to realize high torque at low speed. Depending on their PM locations, the three newly designed flux-modulated machines are referred as (i) stator-rotor PM machine, (ii) rotor PM machine, and (iii) stator PM machine. They run on similar principles, but each of them have their own merits. As different machines have different characteristics, one needs to understand the strength and shortcomings of different machines in order to identify the most suitable machine to better meet the practical industrial requirements. All the machines are optimized designed using GA algorithm. The electromagnetic performances are analyzed and compared using time-stepping finite element method (TS-FEM).