Axial Flux Motor
This motor is different from conventional electric motors due to the different path of the magnetic flux. In conventional motors the flux flows radially through the air gap between the rotor and the stator. However in this motor the flux flows parallel to the axle of the motor. The rotor, often referred to as a pancake rotor, can be made much thinner and lighter, hence these motors are often used for applications requiring quick changes in speed.
This particular 4-pole disc wave winding is taken from M.G.Say & E.O.Taylor "Direct Current Machines".
Results
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| Click image to see full size version |
This image shows a single segment of the winding. Although relatively simple in isolation, connecting 21 segments to form the complete winding would be a difficult task were it not for MagNet's ability to automatically determine the conducting path between coil terminals. In the MagNet model of this motor there is only one "Coil" component, defined by two terminals, one on the end of each brush.
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| Click image to see full size version |
This video of the current density magnitude shows the automatic commutating action of the brushes. For each position of the rotor MagNet analyses the conductor to determine where the current will flow. Note how the current density is higher at the corners due to the fact that in this motor the rotor conductors are made from solid copper rather than stranded wires.
- Video - AVI clip - 2029KB
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| Click image to see full size version |
The size and location of the brushes and sectors is critical to optimal operation of the motor. In this video it can be seen when each coil switches off in the gap between magnet poles before the current direction reverses. It can also be seen that the timing of this motor could be improved to maintain a uniform current density over the cycle.
- Video - AVI clip - 1366KB
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| Click image to see full size version |
This image shows the convoluted path that the current follows while making its way around the rotor. Note that creating these videos only requires a single mouse click after choosing the field and the viewpoint, since MagNet automatically finds the field maximum, generates each frame and sequences them into an animation, which can then be exported as an "AVI" file.
- Video - AVI clip - 1360KB
This motor is different from conventional electric motors due to the different path of the magnetic flux. In conventional motors the flux flows radially through the air gap between the rotor and the stator. However in this motor the flux flows parallel to the axle of the motor. The rotor, often referred to as a pancake rotor, can be made much thinner and lighter, hence these motors are often used for applications requiring quick changes in speed.
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