Nonlinear Modeling of Transmission Performance for Permanent Magnet Eddy Current Coupler

Abstract

Establishing the analytical model for accurately predicting the transmitted torque of the permanent magnet eddy current coupler (PMEC) with double conductor rotors is very important to study the nonlinear transmission performance of the PMEC. In this paper, based on magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) approaches, considering the effects of permanent magnet (PM) end leakage, side leakage, and back iron saturation, the 3D magnetic field model of the PMEC is established. Based on the magnetic field model, combined with Faraday’s law and Ampere’s law, the 3D nonlinear model of the PMEC is established. The proposed model adopts the Jenei method to describe the inductance limited eddy current field. The theoretical data, 3D finite element method (FEM) data, and experimental data are compared. The research shows that the predicted value of the analytical model matches well with the torque obtained by 3D FEM and experiments in the range of 0-100% slip, with an error less than 5.3% observed. Finally, the influence of structural parameters on the transmission performance of the PMEC is studied by using the proposed model.