Modeling, Design, and Sensitivity Analysis of a Continuous Magnetic Gear Using Finite-Element Method

Abstract

Magnetic gears are considered to be an interesting alternative of mechanical torque transmission systems. They offer significant benefits compared with mechanical gears, such as reduced maintenance, improved reliability, inherent overload protection, and physical isolation between the input and output shafts. The continuous ratio for magnetic gears is an important factor that is very useful for many applications, such as wind turbines, electric vehicles, and other related applications in which continuous ratio of the gear box is essential. In this article, modeling and sensitivity analysis of a continuous magnetic gear is carried out. To this end, a continuous magnetic gear is modeled by a magnetic equivalent circuit, and then the output torque, speed, and magnetic field distribution inside the gear box are evaluated thorough the finite-element method.

Keywords:

• magnetic gear
• magnetic equivalent circuit
• finite-element method
• permanent magnet

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Behrooz Majidi

Behrooz Majidi was born in Isfahan, Iran. He received his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran, Iran. He is a faculty member of Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch, Isfahan, Iran. His research interests include electrical machines design and analysis, power electronics, and variable-speed drives.

Jafar Milimonfared

Jafar Milimonfared received his B.Sc. in electrical engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology and his M.Sc. and Ph.D. from Paris VI University, Paris, France, in 1981 and 1984, respectively. He joined Amirkabir University of Technology as an assistant professor in 1984, where he is now a professor of electrical engineering. From 1990 to 1993 and 1997 to 2005, he was the deputy of Ministry of Science, Research and Technology in Iran; he is now head of the Iran Mechatronics Society. His research interests include electrical machine design and analysis, power electronics, and variable-speed drives.