Fast analytical calculation of the air-gap flux density in an outer-rotor permanent-magnet brushless motor

The air-gap flux density must be considered in the design and optimization of the structure parameters of permanent-magnet brushless motors (PMBMs). Existing methods for calculating the air-gap flux density are complex and thus cannot be easily applied in practical engineering. This paper presents a fast analytical method for calculating the air-gap flux density that is more efficient and practicable than existing methods. A lumped magnetic circuit model is presented to illustrate the proposed method. Then, the analytical result and finite element analysis (FEA) results obtained for a PMBM prototype are compared. The results indicate that the error between the two methods does not exceed 5%. Therefore, the proposed analytical method is highly efficient and accurate, which may be applied in the motor pro-design process of many engineering instruments.