Electrical Machine Magnetic Conductors Cogging Torque

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrical machines with magnetic conductors made of isotropic and anisotropic materials face challenges in reducing losses due to eddy-currents and hysteresis, particularly with permanent magnets experiencing demagnetization and cogging torque ripple, which affect efficiency and starting performance.

Innovation Solution

The use of magnetic conductors made from magnetically isotropic and anisotropic materials, with specific configurations such as U-like and I-like shapes, and polar extensions to align magnetic flux with easy magnetization directions, along with constant air gaps to minimize cogging torque, and materials with high saturation magnetic induction and resistivity to reduce losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If magnetic conductors are made of rolled steel to connect magnets, then structural strength and connectivity are improved, but eddy-current losses and hysteresis losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoideddy-current losses
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic conductor is divided into multiple stacked steel stampings with insulating layers between them. This segmentation breaks the continuous conductive path for eddy currents, reducing eddy-current losses while maintaining structural integrity through the stacking arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic conductor uses a composite structure combining ferromagnetic steel stampings with non-conductive organosilicon polymer coatings. This composite material approach provides both the magnetic conductivity needed for flux passage and the electrical insulation needed to reduce eddy-current losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If magnetic conductors use anisotropic material with direction of easy magnetization, then hysteresis losses are reduced, but manufacturing complexity and configuration flexibility increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehysteresis lossesVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies magnetic conductors with different magnetic properties to different locations within the electrical machine. Anisotropic materials with specific easy magnetization directions are used where flux paths align with those directions, while isotropic materials are used in other locations, optimizing performance locally throughout the structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the magnetic parameters of the conductor materials by using materials with different saturation magnetic induction values and hysteresis characteristics. This allows optimization of hysteresis losses while maintaining manufacturability through careful selection of material parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If permanent magnets are used to improve efficiency, then power density increases, but demagnetization risk and cogging torque ripple increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower densityVSAvoidresistance to demagnetization
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Magnetic conductors serve as intermediary elements between the permanent magnets and the armature reaction flux. These conductors provide controlled magnetic paths that shield the permanent magnets from harmful demagnetizing flux components, reducing demagnetization risk while maintaining the high power density benefits of permanent magnet usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If magnetic flux is conducted through rolled steel, then magnetic reluctance is reduced, but heat generation from losses increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic conductivityVSAvoidheat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic conductor is segmented into multiple thin steel stampings separated by insulating layers. This segmentation maintains the low magnetic reluctance needed for efficient flux conduction while breaking the electrical continuity that causes eddy-current losses and heat generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration reduces cogging torque ripple and improves resistance to permanent magnet demagnetization, enhancing the efficiency and starting performance of electrical machines by aligning magnetic flux with easy magnetization directions and using materials with high saturation magnetic induction and resistivity.

Implementation Method 1

Magnetic conductors of electric machines provide low magnetic reluctance when magnetic fluxes pass therethrough

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic permeability: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

These loses are heat generation when a slowly varying is conducted by the magnetic conductor. The losses are caused by eddy-currents (Foucault currents)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEddy currents: Eddy Currents

Implementation Method 3

The hysteresis losses are reduced by use of materials characterized by a narrow hysteresis loop and high value of magnetic permeability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHysteresis losses: Magnetic Hysteresis

Implementation Method 4

The permanent magnets are demagnetized under influence of magnetic fluxes of the electromagnets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field interaction: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP2394351B1Electrical machine
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 E V R MOTORS
  • EP2394351B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2394351B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2394351B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electrical machine comprising a stator and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator with an air gap therebetween is disclosed. The stator is provided with a first plurality of sources of magnetic field which is equally spaced in a circumferential configuration over the stator. The rotor is provided with a second plurality of sources of magnetic field which is equally spaced in a circumferential configuration over the rotor. The magnetic sources of at least one plurality are electromagnets; each electromagnet comprises at least one magnet coil resting on a magnet conductor. The magnetic conductor comprises at least one member made of magnetically isotropic and/or anisotropic materials.