Design and Development of an Axial Magnetic Coupling for Reliable Aircraft Power Generation

This paper introduces an axial magnetic coupling (AMC) that can be employed between the engine and the constant speed drive unit (CSDU) or generator in most commercial aircrafts to transfer torque/speed safely and ensure overload torque protection capability. The AMC is designed with target specifications based on the most advanced aircraft starter generators; i.e. 40 Nm peak transmitted torque and a torque density of 35 Nm/kg. The preliminary design of the AMC is performed via a 2D analytical subdomain method. The design outcomes are then validated using a 3D finite element method (FEM) and a mechanical analysis is also presented.