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The purpose of this study is to develop a novel mechanical flux-weakening topology for the switched flux permanent magnet (SFPM) machine to extend the speed range, which will be suitable for the electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles.

The 3 dimensional mechanical flux-weakening model with flux adjusters (FAs) in the end-cap is established. Subsequently, the electromagnetic performance is compared between the SFPM machine with FAs in the end-cap and without FAs. The open circuit flux-linkage is calculated by finite element analysis (FEA) to investigate the influence of this mechanical flux-weakening topology together with the d/q-axis inductance. The flux-weakening capability and torque-speed curve is also calculated.

The proposed topology decreases the permanent magnet flux-linkage and increases the d-axis inductance, which improve the flux-weakening capability simultaneously. Subsequently, the speed range and constant power region are much wider than those without FAs. Finally, the prototype is fabricated and the measured result of the open circuit back electromotive force has good agreement with the FEA result.

This paper provides a novel mechanical flux-weakening topology with FAs in the end-cap for the SFPM machine, whose volume is smaller than another mechanical flux-weakening topology with FAs at the stator outside. Thus, higher torque and power density can be obtained compared with the SFPM machine with FAs at the stator outside.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate torque ripple and magnetic force on the teeth in interior permanent magnet (IPM) machines over a wide range of speed operation for electrical power steering (EPS) applications.

The flux-weakening capability of IPM machines has been analysed by finite element method considering the effect of cross-coupling between d- and q-axis current. The traditional method of analysing torque ripple is based on constant torque and flux-weakening region. However, the cross-coupling need to be considered when applying this technique to flux-weakening region. Meanwhile, the torque ripple with current amplitude and angle and with different speed in the flux-weakening region is also investigated. In addition, the magnetic force on the teeth due to the separated teeth with stator yoke is also investigated during the constant torque and flux-weakening region.

The torque ripple and magnetic force on teeth in IPM machine are dependent on current and current angle. Both the lowest torque ripple and magnetic force on teeth exist over the whole torque-speed region.

The purely sinusoidal currents are applied in this analysis and the effects of harmonics in the current on torque ripple and magnetic force on teeth are not considered in this application. The 12-slot/10-pole IPM machine has been employed in this analysis, but this work can be continued to investigate different slot/pole number combinations.

This paper has analysed the torque ripple and magnetic force on the teeth in IPM machines for EPS application over a wide range of operation speed, which are the main cause of vibration and acoustic noise. The variation of torque ripple with current amplitude and angle as well as speed in the flux-weakening region is also investigated. In addition, the magnetic force on the teeth is also investigated over the whole torque-speed region.

In electric system of high-speed trains, neutral sections are set to balance the three-phase load. When passing neutral sections, the train should detach from the power supply for a short time. To permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) traction system, the voltage of DC link will increase quickly due to the back-EMF of PMSM during this time. Although the energy consumption braking method can be adopted to consume the feedback energy. It not only wastes energy, but also causes more speed drop of the train. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

In order to get better performance when the train is under passing neutral section condition, a suitable control method is proposed, in which the torque command is set to zero and d-axis current order remains unchanged during passing neutral section. Based on a co-simulation model, the influences of this method on the PMSMs traction system are compared with that of traditional method, which is used in induction motors traction system. This model combines both control strategy and finite element model of motor, which can take the effects of magnetic saturation and power loss into consideration.

In PMSMs traction system, PMSMs work as generators during neutral section, and charge to DC bus, which may cause over-voltage damage. Moreover, there would be strong torque shock at the moment of power cut-off. It is finally found that, with the suitable control method, the high-speed train can pass the neutral section with less speed drop, less torque shock and little DC link voltage rise.

The control method proposed in this paper is easier to achieve and gets a better performance of PMSMs traction system in high-speed train compared with the traditional method. Furthermore, the co-simulation model is much closer to reality than the analytical model.

Fractional slot permanent magnet (PM) brushless machines having concentrated non‐overlapping windings have been the subject of research over last few years. They have already been employed in the commercial hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) due to high‐torque density, high efficiency, low‐torque ripple, good flux‐weakening and fault‐tolerance performance. The purpose of this paper is to overview recent development and research challenges in such machines in terms of various structural and design features for electric vehicle (EV)/HEV applications.

In the paper, fractional slot PM brushless machines are overviewed according to the following main and sub‐topics: first, machine topologies: slot and pole number combinations, all and alternate teeth wound (double‐ and single‐layer windings), unequal tooth structure, modular stator, interior magnet rotor; second, machine parameters and control performance: winding inductances, flux‐weakening capability, fault‐tolerant performance; and third, parasitic effects: cogging torque, iron loss, rotor eddy current loss, unbalanced magnetic force, acoustic noise and vibration.

Many fractional slot PM machine topologies exist. Owing to rich mmf harmonics, fractional slot PM brushless machines exhibit relatively high rotor eddy current loss, potentially high unbalanced magnetic force and acoustic noise and vibration, while the reluctance torque component is relatively low or even negligible when an interior PM rotor is employed.

This is the first overview paper which systematically reviews the recent development and research challenges in fractional‐slot PM machines. It summarizes their various structural and design features for EV/HEV applications.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and compare the influence of end-effect on the torque-speed characteristics of three conventional switched flux permanent magnet (SFPM) machines having different stator/rotor pole combinations, i.e. 12/10, 12/13 and 12/14 as well as three novel topologies with less permanent magnets (PMs), i.e. multi-tooth, E-core and C-core.

SFPM machines combine the advantages of simple and robust rotor and easy management of the temperature due to the location of the PMs and armature windings on the stator. However, due to spoke location of the PMs a large flux leakage in the end region, i.e. end-effect, can be observed which could result in a large reduction in the electromagnetic performance. Therefore, the influence of end-effect on the torque-speed characteristics is investigated. 3D-finite element analyses (FEA) results are compared with their 2D-FEA counterparts in order to account for the end-effect influence.

It has been concluded that due to end flux leakage, lower torque capability in the constant torque region is observed in the six machines. However, improved flux-weakening capability in the conventional machines can be exhibited at high current levels, whereas due to the large inductance lower power capability in the multi-tooth, E-core and C-core machines is obtained.

The influence of temperature rise on the performance is not included.

This paper has analysed the influence of end-effect on the torque-speed characteristics of several SFPM machines.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of end‐effect and cross‐coupling on the torque‐speed characteristics of switched flux permanent magnet (SFPM) machines.

The torque‐speed characteristics are predicted using two different methods. These are direct and indirect finite element methods, at different cross‐coupling levels, namely, full cross‐coupling on both PM flux linkage and dq‐axis inductances, partial cross‐coupling on the PM flux linkage only and without cross‐coupling.

The influence of the cross‐coupling on dq‐axis inductances of the studied machine is relatively small. However, it is more significant on the PM flux linkage. Therefore, the partial cross‐coupling model, which is much easier and faster, exhibits almost the same accuracy as the full cross‐coupling model. Furthermore, the end‐effect causes a large reduction in torque‐speed characteristics. However, such a reduction is more significant in the flux weakening operation region.

This is the first time that the influence of end‐effect of SFPM machines on the torque‐speed characteristics, especially in flux weakening region, and on the dq‐axis inductances has been investigated.

The purpose of this paper is to propose an approach to teach to post‐graduate students the basis of hybrid propulsion systems (HPS) with emphasis on their electric drive unit.

Following the introduction of the basic topologies of HPS, a case study is focused with an analysis of its current features. Of particular interest, those related to the flux‐weakening range extension and the cost‐effectiveness improvement are rethought in an attempt to stimulate the innovative capabilities of the students.

The adopted methodology has been integrated in a master course and has been found attractive and informative by the students.

The proposed teaching approach should be complemented by appropriate laboratory courses.

Thanks to the proposed methodology, the basis of HPS is no longer restricted to a selected population of the electrical engineering community.

The purpose of this paper is to comparatively study the conventional, i.e. single magnet, and novel hybrid-magnet switched-flux permanent-magnet (HMSFPM) machines.

The HMSFPM machines utilize two magnet types, i.e. low-cost ferrites and NdFeB. Thus, a set of magnet ratios (?), defined as the quotient of the NdFeB volume to the total PM volume, is introduced. This allows any desired performance and cost trade-off to be designed. Series- and parallel-excited magnet configurations are investigated using 2-dimensional finite element analysis.

The torque of the HMSFPM machines is lower than the NdFeB SFPM machine but the flux-weakening performance is improved for similar machine efficiency. If the machine dimensions are unconstrained, the HMSFPM machines can have the same torque for reduced material costs and a moderate increase in machine dimensions. Ferrite SFPM machines have the lowest cost for the same torque but a significant increase in machine dimensions is required. Finally, the series-excited HMSFPM machine is the preferred over the parallel-excited HMSFPM machine because it has superior demagnetization withstand capability.

Mechanical and winding eddy current losses are not considered in the efficiency map calculations.

The NdFeB SFPM, ferrite SFPM, series-excited HMSFPM, and the parallel-excited HMSFPM machines are compared for their electromagnetic performance, flux-weakening, PM demagnetization, efficiency, and material costs.

The purpose of this paper is to propose the design concepts of external rotor switched flux hybrid magnet memory machine (SFHMMM) to further increase the torque capability while keeping the merits of internal rotor SFHMMM, such as adjustable back-EMF, and good flux weakening performance, etc.

The torque enhancing principle of external rotor SFHMMM, and the design considerations such as feasible stator and rotor pole numbers (N_s/N_r ) are discussed by equations. Then, the performances such as back-EMF, dq-axis inductances, torque and flux weakening performances are calculated and compared with the aid of finite element analysis software.

The external rotor SFHMMMs have obviously larger torque capabilities compared with the internal rotor ones under the same copper loss and machine size. The main reason is that the external SFHMMs could fully utilize the inner space of stator, which offers higher slot area, larger split ratio and consequently the higher average torque. For the external rotor machines with larger rotor pole number N_r , the back-EMF adjust ratio as well as the maxim torque are better. However, leakage flux and losses also increase with Nr due to limited machine size and higher operation frequency. Considering torque capability and flux weakening performance (efficiency map), the external SFHMMM with N_r =2N_s +1, e.g. 6/13 N_s/N_r stator/rotor pole machine, is the optimal choice.

This paper introduces the design concept and design considerations of external SFHMMM for the first time. The proposed machine could be a competent candidate for direct-drive electric vehicle applications.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the design of concentrated winding permanent magnet (PM) machines dedicated to propulsion applications considering both surface‐mounted and flux‐concentrating arrangements of the PMs.

Following the selection of a suitable distribution of the concentrated winding, a derivation of the machine inductances is carried out in order to highlight the increase in the flux‐weakening range gained through the substitution of distributed windings by concentrated ones. Then, mmf and finite element analysis are carried out in order to investigate the air gap flux density and the torque production capability of both surface‐mounted and flux‐concentrating PM machines.

The paper finds that, although both machines provide almost the same average torque, the surface‐mounted PM machine offers lower torque ripple with respect to the flux‐concentrating arrangement: a crucial benefit in electric and hybrid propulsion systems.

The research should be extended to the comparison of the obtained results related to the torque production capability with experimental measurements.

An increase in the efficiency associated with the extension of the flux‐weakening range and a reduction of the volume make the concentrated winding PM machines interesting candidates, especially in large‐scale production applications such as the automotive industry.

The paper proposes an approach to design and performance investigation of concentrated winding PM machines considering both surface‐mounted and flux‐concentrating arrangements of the PMs.