In this paper, we propose a novel study concerning the future use of a zero-airgap induction motor in applications related to transmission oil pumps. The name of the machine comes from the fact that the rotor touches the stator as it spins. The use of such an eccentric motor provides the possibility to remove the mechanical part that is typically found in the transmission oil pump, increasing its efficiency in this way. We focused on determining the optimum variant of a zero-airgap small power induction motor from the point of view of the electrical and mechanical performance. As such, 18 topologies of induction motors with various numbers of pole pairs and rotor bars were designed and numerically analyzed. For the best variant from each category, different eccentricities were considered to evaluate this effect over the performances of the motors. For the best candidate, various analyses were performed in order to demonstrate the validity of this solution for the proposed application. Elements regarding the thermal analysis of this structure are also presented here.

This chapter begins with a brief introduction to alternative transportation solutions and current trends. It discusses the types of electric motors used in low-power propulsion systems along with their advantages and disadvantages. Continuing with the theme of modularity, the chapter presents the concepts of modular and modular-segmented electric machines and compares them to conventional ones. These rotor designs offer fault tolerance and easy disassembly capabilities for electric motors. The trend of using electric motors that do not rely on rear earth materials is well known. Therefore, we chose a synchronous reluctance machine (SynRM) with an outer rotor for a detailed analysis. The SynRM is analyzed in classic, modular, and modular-segmented configurations using finite element analysis (FEA) with FLUX 2D and MATLAB. The chapter also analyzes the slots/poles combination and flux barrier shape of electric machines. Finally, the results obtained from FEA simulations are compared with the built prototype.