Performance comparison between rotor flux-switching and stator flux-switching machines considering local demagnetization

This paper investigates the local permanent magnet (PM) demagnetization characteristics of stator-PM flux-switching (SPM-FS) machine and rotor-PM flux-switching (RPM-FS) machine. The partial demagnetization mechanisms of two machines are analyzed based on a simple magnetic circuit method, and verified by finite-element analysis (FEA). In addition, the performance degradation due to demagnetization effect is evaluated, and a comprehensive comparison of a pair of three-phase prototyped machines is conducted, where the two machines have the same stator outer diameter, stack length and rated current density. The predicted results indicate the demagnetization is generated in the corner parts of PMs near to air-gap for SPM-FS machines, and then the torque performances are degraded, while PMs in RPM-FS machine are hardly influenced by demagnetization effect. Hence, the anti-demagnetization capability of the RPM-FS machine is significantly stronger than that of the SPM-FS machine.