2011 IEEE International Electric Machines & Drives Conference (IEMDC)

Improving the Torque Output in Radial- and

Axial-Flux Permanent-Magnet Synchronous
Machines with Concentrated Windings by using a
Combined Wye-Delta Connection
Hendrik Vansompel1 , Peter Sergeant1,2 , Luc Dupré1 , and Alex Van den Bossche1
1
Dept. Electrical Energy, Systems & Automation, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
2
Dept. Electrotechnology, Faculty of Applied Engineering Sciences, University College Ghent, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium

Abstract—In this paper, a combined wye-delta connection

is introduced and compared with a common wye-connection
of a concentrated winding. Because the combined wye-delta
connection has a higher fundamental winding factor, the output
torque is higher for the same current density when a sinusoidal
current is imposed. As the combined wye-delta connection has
only a minor influence on the losses in the machine, the efficiency
of the machine is also increased.
The combined wye-delta connection is illustrated in detail for
an axial-flux permanent-magnet synchronous machine with a
rated power of 4.5 kW at a fixed speed of 2500 rpm, using
finite element computation. Fig. 1. Considered axial flux permanent-magnet synchronous machine
Index Terms—Permanent magnet machines, axial flux ma- (AFPMSM) topology: the yokeless and segmented armature (YASA) or
segmented armature torus (SAT) topology, which consists of two rotor discs
chine, concentrated winding, winding factor, combined wye-delta
with in between a stator.
connection.

I. I NTRODUCTION is chosen and examined extensively. To illustrate the benefits

OMPARING to distributed windings, concentrated wind-
C ings have the advantage of shortened end windings,
higher torque density and efficiency, ease in winding process
and mounting and some configurations enable a low torque
ripple. However, a general disadvantage of the concentrated
windings is a lower winding factor [1], resulting in a lower out-
put torque, and high magneto-motive-force (MMF) harmonic
content.
In [2] - [4], a combined wye-delta connection is used
to increase the winding factor, and thus the output torque,
and decrease the MMF harmonic content for machines with
distributed windings. In this paper, the use of such a combined
wye-delta connection in investigated for machines with a
concentrated winding. As the electro-motive-force (EMF) of
such a concentrated winding has a zero-sequence component,
circulating currents in the delta-connected windings will cause
additional losses. On the other hand, the zero-sequence flux in
the delta-connected windings is suppressed, which will have
an influence on the iron losses. Therefore, this paper focuses
on the aspects which may limit the use of the combined wye-
delta connection for a concentrated winding.
It will be shown that the rate of improvement of the
winding factor strongly depends on the combination of pole
and slot numbers. An overview of the winding factors for some
combinations is given. Finally a 16 pole, 15 slot combination
of the combined wye-delta connection, a wye-connection
is compared with the combined wye-delta connection for
an axial-flux permanent-magnet synchronous machine (AF-
PMSM) with concentrated windings. Although an axial flux
machine is used, the same theory applies to radial machines.
A simplified overview of the used AFPMSM is given in
Fig. 1. This topology, a yokeless and segmented armature
(YASA) or segmented armature torus (SAT) topology dis-
cussed in [5] and [6], and like AFPMSM’s in general, is very
suitable for e.g. wheel motors [7] and direct drive wind energy
applications [8].
As a concentrated double layer winding is used for this
topology, each individual winding is wound around one tooth.
In this way a modular stator construction is introduced:
individual stator teeth are made in advance, and are then
combined to form a solid stator (Fig. 2). This way allows easy
comparison because measurements take place on the same
machine, just by rearranging and replacement of the stator
modules, a change from wye-connection to combined wye-
delta connection is performed.
This construction method is not only advantageous for easy
manufacturing, but has general advantages quoting [9]: (a)
shortened end windings leading to higher torque density and
efficiency, (b) ease of winding process and high winding fill
factor, (c) reduced mutual inductance between the machine

978-1-4577-0061-3/11/$26.00 ©2011 IEEE 936

 Ec

Ec
12◦

E Ec

Ec
12◦
Fig. 2. The yokeless and segmented armature (YASA) or segmented
armature torus (SAT) topology allows to make an axial flux permanent-
magnet synchronous machine (AFPMSM) topology with a modular stator Ec
construction: individual stator teeth are made in advance, and are than
combined to form a solid stator. Each module can be easily replaced which
makes this topology very suitable for this research topic. Fig. 3. Phasorial diagram for the conventional wye-connection for the
example with 15 slots and 16 magnets. The EMF of one coil is indicated
TABLE I by 𝐸 𝑐 , the resulting EMF by 𝐸.
C HARACTERISTICS AND PARAMETERS OF THE CONSIDERED
AFPMSG- PROTOTYPE .
12◦
Parameter Value
Electrical output power (W) 4500 Ec
Rated speed (rpm) 2500
Rated torque (Nm) 17.5
Pole number 16
Slot/tooth number 15 EY Ec
Outer diameter (mm) 148 6◦
Inner diameter (mm) 100
Axial length (mm) 92 Ec
Active mass (kg) ±8
Magnet width (mm) 18/24 12◦
Magnet thickness (mm) 7
EΔ Ec
Rotor backiron thickness (mm) 8
Airgap length (mm) 2.5
Slot width (mm) 11
Ec

phases resulting in improved phase independence and fault 30◦

tolerance, and (d) reduced stator core weight due to the
absence of the stator yoke.
The comparison between a wye-connection and a combined
wye-delta-connection is performed by finite element compu-
tation using the data of a prototype YASA AFPMSM [10], of
which the main characteristics are summarized in Table I.
II. C OMBINED W YE -D ELTA C ONNECTION
In [1], the winding factor 𝑘𝑤𝑌 1 for a conventional wye-
connection for different combinations of slots and poles, which
allow the realization of a balanced winding is determined
and summarized in Table II. The phasorial diagram for a
conventional wye-connection is represented in Fig. 3 for the
example with 15 slots and 16 magnets. As phase differences
between the EMF’s of the different coils 𝐸 𝑐 exists, the total
phase-EMF 𝐸 has an amplitude which is only a fraction 𝑘𝑧1
of the sum of the amplitudes of the contributing coil-EMF’s.
This fraction, the so called zone factor, is given by:
( )
sin 𝑞 ′ 𝛼2
𝑘𝑧1 = ′ ( ) (1)
𝑞 sin 𝛼2
where 𝑞 ′ is the number of neighboring slots assigned to one
phase, and 𝛼 is the electric angle between two slots.
As each coil consists of two wires lying in two neighboring
slots, a phase difference between these neighboring EMF’s
Fig. 4. Phasorial diagram for the conventional wye-connection for the
example with 15 slots and 16 magnets. The EMF of one coil is indicated by
𝐸 𝑐 . The resulting EMF’s of the wye- and delta-connected coils are indicated
by 𝐸 𝑌 and 𝐸 Δ respectively.
exists, which reduces the coil-EMF with a factor 𝑘𝑝 , the pitch
factor, given by: (𝛼)
𝑘𝑝 = cos . (2)
2
The winding factor 𝑘𝑤𝑌 1 , which is calculated in Table II for
different slot- and pole-numbers can then be calculated by
𝑘𝑤𝑌 1 = 𝑘𝑧1 𝑘𝑝 . (3)
In the considered example of 15 slots and 16 magnets, the
zone factor 𝑘𝑧1 equals 0.9567 and the pitch factor 𝑘𝑝 equals
0.9945 leading to a winding factor 𝑘𝑤𝑌 1 of 0.9514.
As for easy construction the individual winding is wound
around one tooth, the pitch factor cannot be changed. However,
by using the combined wye-delta-connection, the zone factor
can be increased and thus the winding factor. The phasorial
diagram for a combined wye-delta-connection is represented
in Fig. 4 for the example with 15 slots and 16 magnets.
By assigning the coils to the wye- or the delta- connection,
depending on whether the phase of the coil best suits with the

937
 TABLE II
W INDING FACTORS FOR DIFFERENT SLOT- POLE COMBINATIONS WHICH REALIZE A BALANCED THREE - PHASE SYSTEM .1

4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
6 0.8660 0.8660
- -
(1/2) (1/2)
9 0.8660 0.9452 0.9452 0.8660
- 0.9748 0.9748 -
(1/2) (3/8) (3/10) (1/2)
12 0.8660 0.9330 0.9330 0.8660
- 0.9659 0.9659 -
(1/2) (2/5) (2/7) (1/2)
15 0.8660 0.9514 0.9514 0.8660
- 0.9836 0.9836 -
(1/2) (5/14) (5/16) (1/2)
18 0.8660 0.9019 0.9452 0.9452 0.9019 0.8660
- 0.9302 0.9748 0.9748 0.9302 -
(1/2) (3/7) (3/8) (3/10) (3/11) (1/2)
21 0.8660
-
(1/2)
24 0.8660 0.9330
- 0.9659
(1/2) (2/5)

1 Rows and columns represent respectively the number of slots and poles. First number: winding factor of a conventional wye-connection, second number:
winding factor obtained with a wye-delta-connection, third number: q, as a fraction of two non divisible integers.

×10−3
phase of the wye- or delta-connection, a higher zone factor 0.17 9.41 2
can be obtained. In the 15-slots-16-magnets configuration the 7.69
zone factor increases from 0.16 1.75

5.19
1.5
1 + 2 cos (12∘ ) + 2 cos (24∘ ) 0.15
𝑘𝑧1 = = 0.9567 (4)
5 2.69
1.25
0.14
to 0.19
1
1 + 2 cos (12∘ ) + 2 cos (6∘ ) 0.13
𝑘𝑧1 = = 0.9891 (5) −2.30 0.75
5
0.12
−4.80 0.5
which is an increase of 3.39%. The same can be done to all
combinations of slot and pole numbers. The obtained winding 0.11 −7.30 0.25
factors are summarized in Table II.
In order to have the same output voltage in the wye- 0.1 −9.80 0
−0.04 −0.03 −0.02 −0.01 0 0.01 0.02
connection as well as in the combined√wye-delta-connection,
the delta connected coils should have 3 times the numbers
of the wye-connected coils. As the slot-width is the same Fig. 5. Part of one of the 6 2D-FEM solutions in which the circumference of
for wye-and√ delta-connected coils, the wire section should be the AFPMSM is modeled at a given radius. Left boundary is the symmetry-
axis of the vector-potential problem. Flux density levels are in Tesla.
reduced by 3. In this way, Joule’s losses in both the wye-
and delta-connected coil windings are equal.
Due to the zero-sequence flux in the delta-connected coils,
circulating currents are present and will result in additional Because AFPMSM’s have an inherent 3D structure, 3D
Joule’s losses. As will be shown in following paragraphs, the finite element models (FEM) should be used in simulations. As
losses corresponding with the circulating currents are minor these 3D FEM are very time consuming, “quasi 3D” [11] - [12]
comparing to global losses i.e. the iron losses in the tooth- approximations using multiple 2D FEM at different radii are
cores and the Joule’s losses in the copper windings. often used. (Fig. 5) The global solution is found as a weighted
summation over the different 2D FEM solutions. In this way
computation time can be reduced. In such a 2D FEM, the
III. F INITE E LEMENT M ODEL
whole circumference of the machine is modeled i.e. 15 teeth
The theory explained in previous paragraph is evaluated and 16 magnets. As the magnets are in a NS-topology [13],
using a finite element model (FEM). The FEM is the same only half of the machine needs to be modeled by applying the
for both wye- and combined wye-delta-connection, but differ Neumann boundary condition at the center part of the teeth. In
in the way in which the currents are imposed. circumferential direction, obtaining the right solution requires

938
 TABLE III
the use of periodic boundary conditions. C OMPARISON SIMULATED DATA FOR WYE - AND COMBINED WYE - DELTA
The torque of the generator is calculated by evaluating CONNECTION .
the Maxwell stress tensor along a line in the center part of
parameter wye wye-delta
the airgap. As the Maxwell stress tensor is very sensitive to full-load torque (Nm) 17.49 18.11
numerical noise, a very fine mesh around the teeth-tip and the no-load copper-loss (W) - 0.53
airgap is required to obtain the right torque values. no-load iron-loss (W) 40.36 39.33
full-load copper-loss (W) 33.35 32.64
As this paper focuses on the stator teeth, an anisotropic full-load iron-loss (W) 44.06 41.32
material model based on the magnetic energy (variant on output power (W) 4579 4741
[14]) is applied. The anisotropic material model calculates the efficiency at full-load (%) 98.34 98.46
magnetization vector M as a function of the induction vector
B. The equation for the magnetic potential A equals 60
( )
1 40
∇× ∇ × A − ∇ × M (∇ × A) = Je (6)
𝜇0
20
where Je is the external current density.

EMF(V)
The iron losses are calculated a posteriori, based on the 0
simulated flux density patterns. The used model for the iron −20
losses is based on loss-separation [15] - [16] and is explained
in detail in [17]. −40
The parameters in the anisotropic material model and the −60
loss model are fitted from data retrieved by measurements 0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360
on an Epstein frame. As the used material is grain oriented Angular rotor position (∘ )
(GO), magnetic properties vary with respect to the direction in
which the field is applied. Therefore, strips in seven different Fig. 6. No-load EMF’s of 5 consecutive teeth which are combined to one
phase. For the 15-slot-16-pole combination, a shift of 12∘ exists between
directions i.e. 0∘ , 15∘ , 30∘ , 45∘ , 60∘ , 75∘ and 90∘ , where cut adjacent coil EMF’s.
out of a insulated GO steel sheet. The complete determination
of the material required measurements for various magnetic
18.5
field amplitudes and different frequencies.
Finding the circulating currents in the delta-connected coils, 18.25
Full-load torque (Nm)

for no-load as well as full-load, is done by iteration as the

zero-sequence flux is influenced by saturation.
IV. S IMULATION RESULTS AND COMPARISON
A. Simulations
In Table I, the main characteristics of the suggested AF-
PMSM are listed. The winding consists of two coils per
tooth, one on each side of the tooth (Fig. 1), and are put in
parallel. For the wye-connected teeth, on each coil 72 turns
are placed in 4 layers of 18 turns, while on the delta-connected
coils 125 turns are placed in 5 layers of 25 turns. The wire
diameter of the wye- and delta-connected teeth is 1.05 mm
and 0.8 mm respectively. This combination of turn-number and
wire diameter results in the same output voltage and Joule’s
losses in the windings.
In the simulations of both wye- and combined wye-delta
connection, the current is held to the same value i.e. 6.67 A
rms and is imposed to have the same phase as the phase-EMF.
B. Comparison
In Fig. 6, the no-load EMF’s of 5 consecutive teeth which
are combined to one phase are presented. As illustrated in the
example in paragraph II, a shift of 12∘ exists between adjacent
coil EMF’s. Furthermore, it can be noticed that apart from
fundamental harmonics, the coil EMF’s contain additional
harmonics. In the delta connected teeth, the triple-harmonics
in the flux will give rise to circulating currents. These currents
strongly mitigate third harmonics in the coil-EMF’s.
18
17.75
17.5
17.25
17
0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360
Angular rotor position (∘ )
Fig. 7. Full-load torque waveform of the wye- (−−) and combined wye-
delta connection (−−). Although a higher average torque output is achieved
by the combined wye-delta connection, the torque ripple is higher than for
the wye-connection.
Simulation results of the wye- and combined wye-delta
connection are given in Table III. As predicted by the theory, a
higher average torque output is achieved by the combined wye-
delta connection: an increase of 3.54%. On the other hand, the
torque ripple in the combined wye-delta connection is higher
than for the wye-connection. (Fig. 7)
In Fig. 8, the circulating current present in the delta-
connected coils is shown. Due to the relatively high inductance
of the winding, the amplitude of the circulating current is
limited. As the resistance of a delta-connected winding is
calculated to be 0.2 Ω, the Joule’s losses in the copper losses
are very limited. Table I also shows that the no-load iron losses
are slightly reduced. This small decrease can be explained by
absence of the triples harmonics in the delta-connected teeth.

939
 1.5
No-load zero sequence current (A)

400
1
300
0.5 200
100

EMF(V)
0
0
−0.5 −100
−200
−1
−300
−1.5 −400
0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360 0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360
Angular rotor position (∘ ) Angular rotor position (∘ )

Fig. 8. Waveform of the circulating current in the delta-connected coils. 15

Full-load phase current (A)

Corresponding Joule’s losses are limited due to the small resistance of the
10
delta-connected coils.
5
0
400
−5
300
200 −10
100 −15
EMF(V)

0 0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360

−100 Angular rotor position (∘ )
−200
−300 Fig. 10. Simulated phase EMF and phase current for the combined wye-
−400 delta connection of the coils. Values for the wye- and delta-connected coils
0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360 are indicated in (−−) and (−−) respectively. Note that the current in the
Angular rotor position (∘ ) delta-connected coils is a superposition of the fundamental current and the
circulating current.
15
Full-load phase current (A)

10
5
0
−5
−10
−15
0 45 90 135 180 225 270
Angular rotor position (∘ )
Fig. 9. Simulated phase EMF and phase current for the wye-connection of
the coils.
The full-load EMF- and currents waveforms of the wye-
and combined wye-delta connection are shown in Fig. 9 and
Fig. 10 respectively. Note that the full-load EMF-waveforms
are deformed due to the armature reaction. As can be seen in
the currents waveform of the delta-connected teeth (Fig. 10),
the waveform is a superposition of the fundamental sinusoidal
component and the circulation current. However the effect of
these circulation currents in the total Joule’s losses in the
copper windings are limited and the losses in both connections
are nearly equal.
As the output torque of the machine can be increased with
3.54%, while the losses in the machine at no- as well as
full-load are only slightly different, the global efficiency of
the machine is improved by using the combined wye-delta
connection.
V. C ONCLUSION
In spite of the many advantages of concentrated windings,
an important drawback is that most configurations have a lower
winding factor. In this paper it was illustrated theoretically that
315 360 in most configurations the winding factor can be increased by
using a combined wye-delta connection instead of a common
wye-connection.
The effectiveness of such a combined wye-delta connection
was illustrated for a 16-magnet-15-slot YASA AFPMSM, by
using finite element computations. The increase in output
torque was about the increase in winding factor, as theoret-
ically expected. On the other hand, the losses in the combined
wye-delta connection were the same as those for a common
wye-connected machine. As the power for the same machine
was increased without supplementary losses, the machines
efficiency is increased.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The research was financed by the Research Fund
of the Ghent University (BOF-associatieonderzoeksproject
05V00609), by FWO projects G.0082.06 and G.0665.06, by
the GOA project BOF 07/GOA/006 and the IAP project P6/21.
Peter Sergeant is a postdoctoral researcher for the “Fund of
Scientific Research Flanders” (FWO).

940
 R EFERENCES
[1] J. Cros, and P. Viarouge, “Synthesis of High-Performance PM Motors
with Concentrated Windings,” IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion,
vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 248-253, Jun. 2002.
[2] J. Y. Chen, and C. Z. Chen, “Investigation of a new AC electrical
machine winding,” IEE Proceedings Electric Power Applications, vol.
145, no. 2, pp. 125-132, Mar. 1998.
[3] R. Gjota, “Winding arrangement of a stator and/or rotor of a three phase
generator or electromotor with improved performances,” U.S. Patent 4
710 661, Dec. 1, 1987.
[4] M. V. Cistelecan, F. J. T. E Ferreira, and M. Popescu, “Adjustable Flux
Three-Phase AC Machines With Combined Multiple-Step Star-Delta
Winding Connections,” IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, vol.
25, pp. 348-355, Jun. 2010.
[5] T. J. Woolmer, and M. D. McCulloch, “Analysis of the Yokeless And
Segmented Armature Machine,” IEEE International Electric Machines
& Drives Conference, 2007, pp. 704-708, 3-5 May 2007.
[6] W. Fei, and P. C. K. Luk, “Cogging Torque Reduction Techniques for
Axial-Flux Surface-Mounted Permanent-Magnet Segmented-Armature-
Torus Machines,” IEEE International Symposium on Industrial Electron-
ics, 2008, pp. 485-490, June 30 2008-July 2 2008.
[7] Y. P. Yang, and D. S. Chuang, “Optimal Design and Control of a Wheel
Motor for Electric Passenger Cars,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics,
Vol. 43, No. 1, pp. 51-61, Jan. 2007.
[8] M. Andriollo, M. De Bortoli, G. Martinelli, A. Morini, and A. Tortella,
“Permanent Magnet Axial Flux Disc Generator for Small Wind Tur-
bines,” Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Electrical
Machines, 6-9 Sept, 2008, pp. 1-6.
[9] W. Fei, P. Luk, and K. Jinupun, “A New Axial Flux Permanent
Magnet Segmented-Armature-Torus Machine for In-Wheel Direct Drive
Applications,” IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference, 2008,
pp. 2197-2202, 15-19 June 2008.
[10] H. Vansompel, P. Sergeant, and L. Dupre “Optimized Design Consider-
ing the Mass Influence of an Axial Flux Permanent-Magnet Synchronous
Generator With Concentrated Pole Windings,” IEEE Transactions on
Magnetics, Vol. 46, No. 12, pp. 4101-4107, Dec. 2010.
[11] R. J. Wang, and M. J. Kamper, “Evaluation of eddy current losses in
axial flux permanent magnet (AFPM) machine with an ironless stator,”
Conference Record of the 37th IEEE IAS Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh,
USA, Oct. 2002.
[12] A. Parviainen, M. Niemelä, and J. Pyrhönen, “Modeling of Axial
Permanent-Magnet Machines” IEEE Transactions on Industry Applica-
tions, Vol. 40, No. 5, pp. 1333-1340, Sept.-Oct. 2004.
[13] S. M. Hosseini, M. Agha-Mirsalim, and M. Mirzaei, “Design, Prototyp-
ing, and Analysis of a Low Cost Axial-Flux Coreless Permanent-Magnet
Generator,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, Vol. 44, No. 1, pp.75-80,
Jan. 2008.
[14] T. Pera, F. Ossart, and T. Waeckerle, “Field computation in non linear
anisotropic sheets using the coenergy model,” IEEE Transactions on
Magnetics, Vol. 29, No. 6, pp. 2425-2427, Nov. 1993.
[15] G. Bertotti, “Hysteresis in Magnetism,” Academic Press,1994, pp.401
[16] E. Barbisio, F. Fiorillo, and C. Ragusa, “Predicting Loss in Magnetic
Steels Under Arbitrary Induction Waveform and With Minor Hysteresis
Loops,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, Vol. 40, No. 4, pp. 1810-1819,
Jul. 2004.
[17] D. Kowal, P. Sergeant, L. Dupré, and A. Van den Bossche, “Comparison
of non-oriented material and grain oriented material for an axial flux
permanent-magnet machine,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, Vol. 46,
No. 10, pp. 279-285, Feb. 2010.

941