Nonlinear Semianalytical Model for Axial Flux Permanent-Magnet Machine

In this article, we propose a novel nonlinear semianalytical model (AM) for the magnetic field calculation of electric machines. The nonlinear properties and local saturation effect of the iron part are taken into consideration in Cartesian coordinates, which is the main contribution of the proposed model. Thus, high accuracy of electromagnetic field results can be obtained with the low computational time cost. The model is developed based on the harmonic modeling technique by solving Maxwell's equations. The detailed theoretical derivations, which use the complex Fourier series and the Cauchy product, are presented. To verify the proposed model, an axial flux permanent-magnet (PM) machine is selected to be investigated. Both finite-element model and experimental results agree well with that of the proposed model. Moreover, the nonlinear AM has potential application for other types of PM electrical motor in Cartesian coordinates, such as flat PM linear machines.