Evolution and Analysis of Leakage Flux Path for Memory Machine With Variable Leakage Flux Capability

To further expand the flux regulation (FR) range, variable leakage flux (LF) technology is introduced into the hybrid magnetic circuit memory machine (HMC-MM). This technology is realized by properly constructing LF paths in the rotor and controlling their saturation degree. However, how to design the LF paths reasonably to achieve the best performance balance of the memory machine (MM) is still a challenging puzzle. In response to this puzzle, this article first evolves a conventional HMC-MM into three variable LF HMC-MMs (V+HMC-MMs) with different LF paths by configuring different q-axis barriers. The influence mechanism of different LF paths on FR range is theoretically revealed by analyzing and comparing the equivalent magnetic circuit models of the above three evolved V+HMC-MMs. Furthermore, the electromagnetic characteristics of the four investigated MMs under different magnetization states (MSs) are comprehensively computed by the finite element (FE) method. Subsequently, through a quantitative comparison and tradeoff of main electromagnetic characteristics, a preferred LF design that can achieve the best performance balance is identified. Finally, a V+HMC-MM prototype with the preferred design is manufactured and tested. Experimental results validate the correctness of the FE analysis.