Investigations into Unconventional Air Gap Contours in Electrical Machines and Their Effects on Radial and Tangential Forces

The article first describes the theoretical principles and the effects of the semicircular interlocking air gap contour on the radial and tangential forces acting on the surfaces adjacent to the air gap. Subsequently, measurement results of experimental investigations are presented, from which a qualitative statement about the effect and necessary processing steps of an interlocking air gap contour can be derived. Finally, the comparative results of investigations on a switched reluctance machine with straight and executed interlocking air gap contour are presented.