Multi-Disk Coreless Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors with Surface PM and Halbach Array Rotors for Electric Aircraft Propulsion
Matin Vatani, J.F. Eastham, Dan M. Ionel
Abstract
This paper presents multiple single- and multi-disk coreless axial flux permanent magnet (AFPM) motors, focusing on specific power density and reliability for electric aircraft propulsion. Several 3D finite element analysis (FEA) parametric studies were conducted to assess the geometric impacts on a single-disk coreless AFPM motor featuring two separate stators and a double-sided Halbach array rotor configuration. These studies form the foundation for the design of both single- and multi-disk machines. Single-disk coreless AFPM motors with rotor back iron embedded between the stators, offering magnetically decoupled stators, are subsequently introduced. The paper concludes by presenting four multi-disk coreless AFPM motor topologies, comparing their electromagnetic performance and fault-tolerance capabilities.