3-D Analytical Comparison of Axial Flux Machines With Layered and Segmented Halbach Magnets

The three-dimensional (3-D) linear analytical comparison is made for axial flux machines (AFMs) with surface-mounted non-layered/layered and segmented Halbach magnets. Using a 3-D subdomain model method, the analytical equations in terms of the scalar potential for different subdomains are solved. In addition, the magnet parameters are optimized to enhance the performance of AFMs. It is well demonstrated that the optimized AFM with the radially layered unequal-height Halbach magnets exhibit better performance than that with the other magnet arrangements. Finally, the proposed 3-D linear analytical predictions are validated through a 3-D finite element analysis (FEA).