Computer aided design and 3D magnetostatic analysis of a permanent magnet spherical motor

Abstract

In this study, the analysis and design of a dc version of spherical permanent magnet motor, which are capable of three degrees-of-freedom motion, have been introduced. The spherical permanent magnet rotor with 4-pole is made of NdFeB magnet slices. The bearing (or support mechanism), different from preceding, is made from a hollow semi-spherical teflon material. The validity of the analysis and design techniques are confirmed by numeric calculations and measurements taken from a prototype. Numeric analysis of the electro-mechanical forces is performed by a commercial software package (Ansoft Maxwell 3D) using FE method. The spherical motor in question is capable of ±45° pan-tilt movements in addition to spinning 360° continuously. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information.