Selecting the Active Zone Configuration for an Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor

Authors

  • Il’ya M. KACHANOV
  • Nikolay S. IVANOV
  • Anton A. SHIROKOV
  • Evgeniy S. SOLDATOV
  • Sergey V. ZHURAVLEV

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24160/0013-5380-2026-9-64-75

Keywords:

axial flux synchronous motor, permanent magnet machines, design solutions, modeling, finite element analysis

Abstract

The article investigates the influence of various active zone design solutions on the parameters of a 60 kW axial flux permanent magnet synchronous motor with a yokeless segmented armature. Using computer finite element simulation, various design options are compared, including excitation system configurations with magnets magnetized only in the axial direction, a Halbach array, and a Halbach array without a ferromagnetic back iron on the rotor, as well as configurations with open and semi-closed stator slots. Three stator core materials are considered: grade 2421 electrical steel, soft magnetic composite material Somaloy 700HR 5P, and additively manufactured Fe-4.5Si alloy. The influence of these solutions on the key machine parameters such as mechanical power, active zone mass, core and magnet losses, and power factor is evaluated. Based on the study results, an active zone design is selected that provides balanced energy and mass-and-dimensional characteristics with acceptable manufacturability. Proceeding from the selected configuration, the electric motor’s 3D model has been developed, which makes it possible to evaluate the mass-and-dimensional parameters of the entire machine and compare it with the solutions presented on the market.

Author Biographies

Il’ya M. KACHANOV

(Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University), Moscow, Russia) – Research Engineer of the Research Dept. 310; Postgraduate Student of the Electric Power, Electromechanical and Biotechnical Systems Dept.

Nikolay S. IVANOV

(Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University), Moscow, Russia) – Director of the Institute No. 14 "Advanced Engineering School", Cand. Sci. (Eng.).

Anton A. SHIROKOV

(Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University), Moscow, Russia) – Junior Researcher of the Research Dept. 310.

Evgeniy S. SOLDATOV

(Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University), Moscow, Russia) – Leading Engineer of the Research Dept. 310.

Sergey V. ZHURAVLEV

(Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University), Moscow, Russia) – Docent of the Electric Power, Electromechanical and Biotechnical Systems Dept., Cand. Sci. (Eng.).

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Работа выполнена в рамках Соглашения о предоставлении из федерального бюджета гранта на проведение крупных научных проектов по приоритетным направлениям научно-технологического развития Минобрнауки России № 075-15-2024-552.

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2. Kovalev L.K. et al. Elektrichestvo – in Russ. (Electricity), 2013, No. 8, pp. 2–8.

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20. Jara W. et al. Rotor Eddy-Current Losses Reduction in an Axial Flux Permanent-Magnet Machine. – IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 2016, vol. 63, No. 8, pp. 4729–4737, DOI: 10.1109/TIE.2016.2547368.

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25. 750 R Electric Motors [Electron. resource], URL: https://yasa.com/media/2021/05/yasa-750rdatasheet-rev-11.pdf (Accessed on 25.05.2026).

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The study was carried out under the Agreement for the provision of a grant from the federal budget for large scientific projects in priority areas of scientific and technological development of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation no. 075-15-2024-552.

Published

2026-09-13

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Section

Article