Effect of armature reaction of a permanent-magnet claw pole SMC motor

The finite-element method enables an accurate analysis for the study on effects of armature reaction in electromagnetic devices, particularly those with complex structures and three-dimensional (3-D) magnetic flux paths. This paper investigates the effects of armature reaction on the parameters and performance of a permanent-magnet (PM) claw pole motor with soft magnetic composite (SMC) core, based on the magnetic field analysis using the 3-D nonlinear time-stepping finite-element method. The current in the stator winding produces a magnetic field, which interacts with the air gap field generated by the rotor magnets. Consequently, the air gap flux density profile against the rotor position produced by the rotor magnets deviates, and so does the back electromotive force. Since the stator field also changes the local saturation level of the magnetic core, the winding inductance varies with both the rotor position and stator currents. The inclusion of these effects in terms of parameter variations in the motor model is important for accurate performance analysis. On the other hand, the pattern of inductance against the rotor position and stator currents can be employed to effectively predict the rotor position at standstill and low speeds for robust sensorless control. The parameter computations are verified by experimental results on the PM claw pole SMC motor prototype.