Axial Flux: when Power Density is needed
Electric aircraft developers need the most powerdense propulsion systems.. but not at all cost
Applications like aerial ridesharing will open up the third dimension for transportation. They promise a future where elevated mobility is faster, quieter, and more cost-effective than the traditional, noisy, and pricey helicopters.
Consequently, in the future, we should anticipate a surge in the production of electric aircrafts like eVTOL and eSTOL, aiming for a cost and scale comparable to automobiles.
Axyal is working on a new generation of aircraft propulsion systems based on the most effective motor topology: Yokeless Axial Flux
In aerospace, weight reduction is king. Electric VTOL use an average of 7 to 8 electric motors. This means that the propulsion systems contribute greatly to the overall weight of the vehicle.
A reduction in the weight of the electric motor leads directly to a greater vehicle range and a smaller overall package size. This is opening up a host of new and more flexible possibilities for the design of new generations of propulsion systems.
The Axyal propulsion system uses an optimized yokeless axial flux electric motor as its core technology.
Fundamentally, electric machines based on axial flux topology are well suited for aerospace applications compared to motors with conventional radial flux topology. In the electromagnetic sense, they are inherently more effective in terms of power-to-weight ratio. This is because axial flux geometry produces a cubic increase in torque for an increase in diameter, whereas in a radial flux machine there is only a quadratic increase in torque.
The most effective motor topology
An axial flux motor also has a larger magnetic surface available than a radial flux motor of equal volume. In addition, axial flux motors have proportionately more surface area for the cooling system.
Our patented design uses a yokeless stator to achieve the shortest possible flux paths, lower overall weight and low iron losses. Concentrated windings with rectangular-section copper wire are used to minimize copper losses.
Design possibilities
Single axial flux motor or stacked for power multiplication or redundancy
Direct-drive or with integrated reduction gear
Liquid-cooled or Air-cooled
Different voltage or diameter (custom design)
Liquid cooled design with integrated
reduction gear
Air-Cooled design - Direct-Drive