Applicability of flux switching permanent magnet bearingless motors in present-day and future manufacturing and transportation

Flux switching permanent magnet (FSPM) motors in both rotating and linear applications have been gaining popularity because of high tangential stress, low cost, low amount of permanent magnets required, and robust construction. The scope of this work is present-day and future manufacturing and transportation applications in industry 4.0 that take advantage of FSPM rotating and linear bearingless motors (BMs). FSMP BMs provide contactless oil-free operation, positioning accuracy, and magnet placement leading to robust and affordable construction. We review design challenges, trends, and opportunities. Tangential stress, normal stress, torque, and force density per motor volume are benchmarked based on available published data in recent years. The main challenges in design optimization, implementation in applications, and control are analyzed. The work concludes with discussion on scaling for higher powers and wider airgaps.