Design of High-Speed Permanent Magnet Machine for Aerospace Propulsion

Development of megawatt-scale high-power-density electric machines is critical to the feasibility of large commercial electrified aircraft. Permanent magnet (PM) synchronous machines are often adopted in high-power-density and high-efficiency applications and are serious candidates for aircraft electrified propulsion systems. The design of a 1 MW high-speed surface permanent magnet (SPM) machine with an active material power density of 23.7 kW/kg is presented. A 200 kW machine with identical dimensions is also under development in order to address key technical risks. Both machines use a modular stator with the intention to integrating power electronics around the machine's outer circumference. The 200 kW machine is being used to address key structural and thermal challenges before finalizing the design of the 1 MW high-speed prototype machine.