NASA’s Magnetic Gearing Research for Electrified Aircraft Propulsion

Abstract: This paper presents an overview of the magnetic gearing research being conducted at NASA. First, the research is motivated through an in-depth discussion of the Agency-level aeronautics vision, the benefit of geared drivetrains, the barriers to applying mechanical gears in future aircraft concepts with electrified aircraft propulsion, and the characteristics of magnetic gears that allow them to overcome said barriers. Next, the principles of operation and current limitations of magnetic gears…