Modulating Ring Structural Configuration Influence on the Dual Air-Gap Magnetic Gear Electric Machine

In this paper, a study was conducted using a unit equivalent magnetic circuit (EMC) in correlating the relationship between the magnet thickness, the modulating ring pole-piece thickness, and their circumferential pitch. A numerical optimization method is employed in selecting the optimum ratio of the magnet to pole-piece thickness. The study reveals the need to simultaneously consider these parameters during the design of a magnetic gear electric machine because of their strong mutual dependency. A finite element analysis (FEA) was conducted using the optimum ratios. The results correspond to those of the EMC. Also, the performance of the machine is analyzed and found to have a power factor of 0.78. To further verify the results of FEA, a prototype was built using the same configurations of the FEA model. Measurements taken from the prototype are on par with the simulated results.