Consequent Pole Design for Reducing Magnet Volume in PM Machines

In this paper, a consequent pole structure is presented to reduce the volume and number of permanent magnets (PMs) in comparison with a benchmark machine. To reduce the manufacturing cost of PM machines, the volume and number of PMs should be reduced. Magnet torque decreases with the volume of PMs. However, the consequent pole structure can generate reluctance torque. Therefore, the consequent pole structure reduces the volume and number of PMs and maintains the torque production by generating reluctance torque. The consequent pole arrangements are studied through a finite element method analysis.