Design and Experimental Testing of a Magnetic Gear for an Electric Aircraft Drivetrain

This paper presents the magnetic, thermal and mechanical design details as well as testing result for a high mass torque density coaxial magnetic gear (MG). The MG was designed for use in an electric aircraft application and has a 12.4:1 gear ratio. The MG was designed to be competitive with a mechanical equivalent aircraft gear and had a calculated total mass torque density of 53 Nm/kg with a rated torque of 229 Nm. The proof-of-principle MG used Garolite support parts, rather than carbon fiber and due to dimensional differences, the tested MG was shown to achieve a 23.5 Nm/kg torque density. The importance of using laminated magnets and the importance of accounting for both parallel and in-plane eddy current losses within the MG is highlighted.

Automated summary

This paper presents the design details, testing results, and importance of using laminated magnets and considering eddy current losses in a high mass torque density coaxial magnetic gear (MG) designed for an electric aircraft application. The MG has a gear ratio of 12.4:1 and a calculated total mass torque density of 53 Nm/kg. The tested MG achieved a torque density of 23.5 Nm/kg due to dimensional differences and the use of Garolite support parts.