Saturation-Induced Variable-Flux Characteristics in a 12-Slot 10-Pole Concentrated Winding Permanent-Magnet Motor

Abstract

This paper proposes a stator core design to achieve variable-flux characteristics enhanced by magnetic saturation in fractional-slot concentrated winding (FSCW) permanent-magnet (PM) motors without additional excitation systems, complicated structures, or active controls. Magnetic saturation induced at suitable locations can enhance variable-flux characteristics because the PM flux linkage is variable with the magnetic saturation in cores. In distributed winding configurations, magnetic saturation is induced symmetrically for each rotor pole by the fundamental that is dominant in the spatial distribution of the air-gap flux density. The magnetic saturation at each rotor pole can enhance variable-flux characteristics. In FSCW configurations, magnetic saturation is not induced symmetrically for each rotor pole because of several dominant space harmonics. The magnetic saturation at several rotor poles cannot enhance variable-flux characteristics. In the proposed design, the stator core has thin tooth tips for inducing magnetic saturation. The magnetic saturation in the stator core achieves the variable-flux characteristics that are effective for expanding the operating region or decreasing electromotive force and increasing torque. The efficacy of the proposed design is determined by estimating motor performance through a finite element method analysis and demonstrating the actual motor performance of a prototype.