A Novel Radial–Axial Flux Switching Permanent Magnet Generator

In this article, a novel radial–axial (RA) flux switching permanent magnet generator (FSPMG) is introduced. In contrast to other RA flux machines, a major advantage of this generator is its implementation only by the use of conventional nonoriented electrical steel sheets, even though the flux linkage of the novel RA-FSPMG has a 3-D path. Besides that, it benefits from the flux concentration strategy and a passive rotor. A concrete foundation of the novel RA-FSPMG is provided, in which, the 3D-Flux path is described, working principles are discussed, and power-sizing equation is derived. No-load characteristics and the full-load performance of an optimized RA-FSPMG are investigated in contrast to an optimized double stator radial FSPMG and an optimized double stator axial FSPMG with similar volume, number of permanent magnets (PMs), and electrical loading. The results show the competitiveness of the novel RA-FSPMG, in particular, in the output power and the required copper mass. Furthermore, the PM demagnetization possibility and the rotor axial pull force of the optimized RA-FSPMG are investigated, in detail. All discussions are supported by the 3-D finite element analysis and experimental results.