Line-Start Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motor: Axial-Flux vs Radial-Flux Configuration

This paper presents the design and analysis of an axial-flux line-start permanent-magnet synchronous (ALSPMS) motor. The motor includes a hybrid rotor which consists of both induction cage and permanent magnets (PMs). The paper compares the performance of the presented motor against a radial-flux line-start permanent-magnet synchronous (RLSPMS) motor with a similar rating. The performance parameters of the studied motors are predicted under steady-state and transient operation in both 2-D and 3-D finite-element analysis (FEA). FEA simulation results show that the transient response of the axial-flux (AF) motor in 3-D FEA differs with that of its equivalent 2-D FEA. The studied 4-pole ALSPMS motor offers comparable efficiency and power density against the conventional RLSPMS motor.