On-load demagnetization effect of high-coercive-force PMs in switched flux hybrid magnet memory machine

In the previous researches of hybrid magnet memory motors (HMMMs), the demagnetization characteristics of low-coercive-force (LCF) magnets have been already investigated extensively. Nevertheless, the possible irreversible demagnetization of high-coercive-force (HCF) magnets remains unexplored hitherto. In this paper, the demagnetization behaviour of HCF magnets in switched flux hybrid magnet memory machines (SF-HMMMs) accounting for the high-level current pulse is revealed and investigated. A simplified magnetic circuit model is built to illustrate when and how the DC current pulse poses the risk of irreversible demagnetization to the HCF magnets. Furthermore, the influences of temperature, DC current amplitude and HCF magnet thickness on the irreversible demagnetization effect of HCF magnets in the investigated SF-HMMM are analyzed based on finite-element (FE) analyses. The theoretical and FE results are experimentally verified by the tests on an SF-HMMM prototype.