Analytical calculation of leakage permeance of coreless axial flux permanent magnet generator

Purpose This paper aims to study the relationship between leakage flux coefficient and the coreless axial magnetic field permanent magnet synchronous generator (AFPMSG) size and obtain the expressions of leakage flux coefficient. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, a magnetic circuit model of coreless AFPMSG is proposed. Four kinds of leakage permeances of permanent magnet (PM) are considered, and the expression of no-load leakage flux coefficient is obtained. Solving the integral region of leakage permeances by generator size, which improves the accuracy of the solution. Findings Finite element method and magnetic circuit method are used to obtain the no-load leakage flux coefficient and its variation trend charts with the change of pole arc coefficient, air gap length and PM thickness. The average errors of the two methods are 2.835%, 0.84% and 1.347%, respectively. At the same time, the results of single-phase electromotive force obtained by magnetic circuit method, three dimensional finite element method and prototype experiments are 19.36 V, 18.82 V and 19.09 V, respectively. The results show that the magnetic circuit method is correct in calculating the no-load leakage flux coefficient. Originality/value The special structure of the coreless AFPMSG is considered in the presented equivalent magnetic circuit and equations, and the equations in this paper can be applied for leakage flux evaluating purposes and initial parameter selection of the coreless AFPMSG.