A new energy paradigm, consisting of greater reliance on renewable energy sources and increased concern for energy effi ciency in the total energy lifecycle, has accelerated research into energy-related technologies. Due to their ubiquity, magnetic materials play an important role in improving the effi ciency and performance of devices in electric power generation, conditioning, conversion, transportation, and other energy-use sectors of the economy. This review focuses on the state-of-the-art hard and soft magnets and magnetocaloric materials, with an emphasis on their optimization for energy applications. Specifi cally, the impact of hard magnets on electric motor and transportation technologies, of soft magnetic materials on electricity generation and conversion technologies, and of magnetocaloric materials for refrigeration technologies, are discussed. The synthesis, characterization, and property evaluation of the materials, with an emphasis on structure‐property relationships, are discussed in the context of their respective markets, as well as their potential impact on energy effi ciency. Finally, considering future bottlenecks in raw materials, options for the recycling of rare-earth intermetallics for hard magnets will be discussed.

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Magnetic materials and devices for the 21st century: Stronger, lighter, and more energy efficient

Fractional-slot concentrated-winding (FSCW) synchronous permanent magnet (PM) machines have been gaining interest over the last few years. This is mainly due to the several advantages that this type of windings provides. These include high-power density, high efficiency, short end turns, high slot fill factor particularly when coupled with segmented stator structures, low cogging torque, flux-weakening capability, and fault tolerance. This paper is going to provide a thorough analysis of FSCW synchronous PM machines in terms of opportunities and challenges. This paper will cover the theory and design of FSCW synchronous PM machines, achieving high-power density, flux-weakening capability, comparison of single- versus double-layer windings, fault-tolerance rotor losses, parasitic effects, comparison of interior versus surface PM machines, and various types of machines. This paper will also provide a summary of the commercial applications that involve FSCW synchronous PM machines.

Fractional-Slot Concentrated-Windings Synchronous Permanent Magnet Machines: Opportunities and Challenges

The influence of various design parameters on the cogging torque developed by permanent magnet machines is investigated. It is shown that the slot and pole number combination has a significant effect on the cogging torque, and influences the optimal value of both skew angle and magnet arc, as well as determining the optimal number of auxiliary teeth/slots. A simple factor, which is proportional to the slot number and the pole number and inversely proportional to their smallest common multiple, has been introduced to indicate the "goodness"/spl beta/ of the slot and pole number combination. In general, the higher the "goodness" factor the larger the cogging torque.

https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/889/1/zhuzq20.pdf

Influence of design parameters on cogging torque in permanent magnet machines

Energy is an essential ingredient of socio-economic development and economic growth. Renewable energy sources like wind energy is indigenous and can help in reducing the dependency on fossil fuels. Wind is the indirect form of solar energy and is always being replenished by the sun. Wind is caused by differential heating of the earth's surface by the sun. It has been estimated that roughly 10 million MW of energy are continuously available in the earth's wind. Wind energy provides a variable and environmental friendly option and national energy security at a time when decreasing global reserves of fossil fuels threatens the long-term sustainability of global economy. This paper reviews the wind resources assessment models, site selection models and aerodynamic models including wake effect. The different existing performance and reliability evaluation models, various problems related to wind turbine components (blade, gearbox, generator and transformer) and grid for wind energy system have been discussed. This paper also reviews different techniques and loads for design, control systems and economics of wind energy conversion system.

A review of wind energy technologies

Several techniques may be adopted in designing surface-mounted permanent-magnet motors in order to reduce the cogging torque. This paper describes various classical and innovative techniques, giving a theoretical justification for each of them. To this aim, a simple original model of the cogging torque mechanism and a Fourier analysis are introduced. As a result, it is highlighted that some techniques are not always utilizable, and some of them may even be deprecatory when not used correctly. In addition, effects of cogging torque elimination on back electromotive force are discussed.

Design techniques for reducing the cogging torque in surface-mounted PM motors

The paper examines the theoretical and practical limitations to the field-weakening performance of surface permanent magnet, synchronous reluctance and interior permanent magnet motors when driven from an inverter with a limited volt-ampere rating. It is shown that the 'optimal' field-weakening performance consists of an infinite constant-power speed range but is limited to an inverter utilisation of about 0.7. The new concept of the interior permanent magnet parameter plane is introduced. This graphically illustrates the effect of varying the drive parameters on the shape of the field-weakening characteristic. The interior permanent magnet parameter plane is used to show that there are three types of optimal field-weakening designs. When practical factors and considerations are taken into account, the optimal high-saliency interior permanent magnet motor design is the most promising for applications requiring a wide field-weakening range. A 7.5 kW design was built and a constant-power speed range exceeding 7.5:1 was demonstrated.

Field-weakening performance of brushless synchronous AC motor drives

Recent interest in the synchronous reluctance motor has increased in the context of possible applications in field oriented AC drives. The absence of rotor slip losses and the apparent simplicity of the control suggest the possibility of performance and cost advantages over the induction motor. With field oriented control, and continuous shaft position feedback, the synchronous reluctance motor does not need a starting cage and can be designed for maximum saliency ratio (L/sub d//L/sub q/ ratio). This ratio is by far the most important parameter for achieving high power factor, torque/ampere, and constant-power speed range. This paper analyses the various known forms of the synchronous reluctance motor, to determine the maximum achievable saliency ratio and identify the parameters on which it depends. The main originality is the analysis of the effect of the number of flux guides/barriers. It is shown that a minimum number is required for the performance to surpass that of the induction motor. The analysis also reveals the optimum ratio of flux guide/flux barrier thicknesses and the effects of the tooth/slot geometry and stator saturation. Test results are included from three motors ranging from 50 W at 2000 r.p.m. to 7.5 kW at 1500 r.p.m., covering both axially laminated and transversely laminated types.<
 >

Maximising the saliency ratio of the synchronous reluctance motor

A model of core losses, in which the hysteresis coefficients are variable with the frequency and induction (flux density) and the eddy-current and excess loss coefficients are variable only with the induction, is proposed. A procedure for identifying the model coefficients from multifrequency Epstein tests is described, and examples are provided for three typical grades of non-grain-oriented laminated steel suitable for electric motor manufacturing. Over a wide range of frequencies between 20-400 Hz and inductions from 0.05 to 2 T, the new model yielded much lower errors for the specific core losses than conventional models. The applicability of the model for electric machine analysis is also discussed, and examples from an interior permanent-magnet and an induction motor are included.

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On the variation with flux and frequency of the core loss coefficients in electrical machines

The paper identifies and analyzes a number of severe fault conditions that can occur in the switched reluctance machine, from the electrical and mechanical points of view. It is shown how the currents, torques, and forces may be estimated, and examples are included showing the possibility of large lateral forces on the rotor. The methods used for analysis include finite-element analysis, magnetic circuit models, and experiments on a small machine specially modified for the measurement of forces and magnetization characteristics when the rotor is off-center. Also described is a computer program (PC-SRD dynamic) which is used for simulating operation under fault conditions as well as normal conditions. The paper discusses various electrical configurations of windings and controller circuits, along with methods of fault detection and protective relaying. The paper attempts to cover several analytical and experimental aspects as well as methods of detection and protection. >

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Faults and unbalance forces in the switched reluctance machine

An improved approach to predicting cogging torque in permanent magnet motors using the flux-MMF diagram technique is presented and validated. A brief review of cogging torque calculation and minimization techniques is included. It is shown that the flux-MMF diagram can be constructed for any one pole of a permanent magnet machine using the demagnetization characteristic of the permanent magnet; then by applying the principle of virtual work, cogging torque can be predicted. It is also shown that the flux-MMF diagram technique is a truly universal technique of cogging torque prediction and gives greater insight into many of the methods used for cogging torque minimization.

T.J.E. Miller

Papers

Field-weakening performance of brushless synchronous AC motor drives

Maximising the saliency ratio of the synchronous reluctance motor

On the variation with flux and frequency of the core loss coefficients in electrical machines

Faults and unbalance forces in the switched reluctance machine

Prediction of cogging torque using the flux-MMF diagram technique