MEC-based prediction of the air gap flux density distribution of spoke-type IPM machines

The paper is aimed at an analytical prediction of the air gap flux density distribution of a spoke type interior permanent magnet machine, based on its magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) incorporating the rotor position. The study is initiated by an elaboration of the machine MEC in two particular rotor positions corresponding to the maximum and null magnetic coupling between the stator and rotor which enable the prediction of the direct and quadrature components of the air gap flux density, respectively. The decomposition of the armature magnetic reaction into direct and quadrature components enables the generalization of the prediction of the air gap flux density waveform for any rotor position. The accuracy of the proposed approach is improved taking into account the stator and rotor slotting effects that are analytically incorporated considering complex permeance functions.