For the calculation of torque in synchronous motors a local method is analysed, based on the Maxwell stress theory and the filtered contributions due to the harmonics of the magnetic vector potential in the motor air-gap. By considering the space fundamental field only, the method can efficiently estimate the average synchronous torque for a variety or motor topologies, including concentrated winding designs. This approach employs an analytical filter for the Maxwell stress tensor and `frozen permeability' technique. The proposed method is validated by comparison with FE results for several synchronous motor types: interior permanent magnet motors, wound field motor, synchronous reluctance motor
