Ironless axial flux permanent magnet synchronous machine with a ceramic winding carrier for flywheel applications

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Wilfried Hofmann
• Subject Area: Electrical Energy Systems, Power Management, Power Electronics, Electrical Machines and Drives
• Term: from 2016 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 323023914

An increase of the volumic energy of flywheel energy storage systems promotes axial-flux machines before radial flux machines due to the shorter drive shaft. For the elimination of iron losses during no-load operation, a ceramic plate carries the machine winding whilst providing a good thermal conductivity for the cooling of the winding. The continuation of the ongoing research project aims to validate an ironless axial-flux PM synchronous machine for flywheel applications of up to 40 000 rpm. This requires a machine consisting of stator and rotor as well as an inverter for its operation. Currently, only the isolates ceramic winding carrier could be analyzed, neglecting numerous effects. From the author’s perspective, a successful operation of the axial-flux machine with a very small inductance and low losses demands a modular multi-level inverter. The project plan is therefore extended by the realization of the drive system.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants