Torque Characteristics Analysis of Slotted-Type Eddy-Current Couplings Using a New Magnetic Equivalent Circuit Model.

In this article, a new magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) model was presented to predict torque characteristics and reaction flux in slotted-type eddy-current couplings (SECs). The magnetomotive force and reaction field caused by eddy current in the conductor were innovatively introduced into the model; particularly, the modulations of the magnetic field and eddy current by iron teeth in conductor disk were taken into account by dividing magnetic flux paths in air gap into several branches. The expressions of magnetic flux and torque were obtained by combining Kirchhoff’s law and Ampere’s loop law. The torque was calculated using the method proposed and was compared with those obtained by the 3-D finite element method (FEM) and experiment, respectively. The results indicated that the method proposed is accurate and effective under conditions of low slip speeds and short air gap lengths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]