High Power Density Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Machine Design Using Multi-Objective Electromagnetic Optimization

Abstract

The Axis Flux Permanent Magnet (AFPM) machines have attracted a lot of interest over the recent years because they possess high torque density, low structure, and excellent efficiency over the conventional radial flux machine. These merits enable AFPM machines to be very appropriate to high-technology uses like electric cars, renewable energy generation devices, robotics and aerospace propulsion where space weight and performance are paramount concerns. Nonetheless, there is a considerable design challenge in ensuring that high power density in AFPM machines can be ensured and high efficiency can be achieved, torque ripple is minimised and permanent magnet materials costly to obtain are used sparingly. Several design parameters of an electromagnetic design such as magnet sizes, air-gap size, stator slot geometry and winding pattern are critical factors on the performance of AFPM machines. Conventional design methods frequently use trial-and-error, or single objective optimisation methods, which are inefficient and they might not necessarily offer the optimum tradeoff of several performance objectives. To overcome these constraints, the proposed paper presents multi-objective electromagnetic optimization framework of the design of a high-power density AFPM machine. The suggested solution coordinates analytic electromagnetic modelling, evolutionary computation and finite element inspection (FEA) to conduct a systematic perusing and optimization of the significant design parameters. The optimization goals are to maximise power density and efficiency and minimise the torque ripple and permanent magnet volume in order to compromise a balanced and economical machine design. Genetic algorithm is used to search the design space and produce Pareto-optimal solutions which are the best trade off between the objectives chosen. Finite element simulation is also used to validate the machine design that is optimised to study magnetic flux distribution, torque characteristics and electromagnetic performance. According to the conclusion, the optimization strategy is much more effective in improving the performance of the machine than its traditional designs as it has demonstrated better torque performance, lower torque ripple, and higher power density. All these results verify the success of the suggested approach to designing the high-performance AFPM machines that will be qualified to be used in the next-generation electric propulsion and energy conversion devices.