Magnet Defect and Rotor Eccentricity Modeling in Axial-Flux Permanent-Magnet Machines via 3-D Field Reconstruction Method

The structure of an axial-flux permanent-magnet (AFPM) machine necessitates the use of three-dimensional (3-D) simulation models. In particular, when possible faults occur, 2-D models cannot show the resulting unbalanced fields and forces. In this paper, some faults, such as magnet defect, static, and dynamic eccentricity in an AFPM machine, are modeled using a 3-D field reconstruction method. The proposed method reduces the high computational burden of finite-element analysis (FEA). Experimental test beds and FEA simulations are provided to validate the precision of the method.