Optimal design of an axial flux switched reluctance motor with grain oriented electrical steel

This paper proposes using grain oriented electrical steel (GOES) in axial flux switched reluctance motors (AFSRM) to improve the torque characteristic employing the material´s excellent magnetic properties in the rolling direction. Based on the studying the parameter and switching characteristics of an AFSRM, GOES can be divided into pieces to be arranged in the rotor and stator tooth core so that the main magnetic flux flows can follow the rolling direction of the material during the phase conduction period. Three dimensional and quasi three dimensional finite element methods are employed to analyze and optimize AFSRM with different shapes and deviation angles between the magnetic flux and rolling direction of the GOES; the maximum electromagnetic torque of the proposed design shows a 21.4% increase in comparison with the one of conventional non-oriented electrical steel (NOES) motors under identical conditions.