Design of a double‐sided tubular permanent‐magnet linear synchronous generator for wave‐energy conversio

• Danson M. Joseph ^[1] ; Willem A. Cronje ^[1]
  1. [1] University of the Witwatersrand

     University of the Witwatersrand

     City of Johannesburg, Sudáfrica

     
• Localización: Compel: International journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, ISSN 0332-1649, Vol. 27, Nº 1, 2008, págs. 154-169
• Idioma: inglés
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen

  • Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a double‐sided tubular linear machine layout direct‐drive applications, with particular focus on wave‐energy conversion. The paper documents both the computational and mathematical analysis of this novel machine layout.

    Design/methodology/approach – The selection and finite‐element optimisation of the permanent‐magnet array is presented. The machine is then modelled using magnetic circuit theory. By simultaneously solving the system of equations, a demonstrative design is developed and simulated so as to validate the mathematical model and compare the performance of the new layout with a traditional layout.

    Findings – A surface‐mounted magnetic array, with unshaped‐poles, is most suitable for the proposed layout. The mathematical model exhibits a suitable level of accuracy for design and analysis purposes. The calculated resultant force differs from the FEA calculation by 1.85 per cent. A higher force‐density is exhibited by the proposed layout, when compared with flat layouts, with a reduction of 36.5 per cent in the spatial footprint and magnetic material of the machine.

    Research limitations/implications – Although the research is focused on the application of wave‐energy conversion, the techniques are application‐independent. However, certain design decisions should be reviewed for other applications.

    Practical implications – The practical implementation of such a machine poses many mechanical obstacles. These have been solved in theory, and are being implemented at the time of writing.

    Originality/value – The combination of a double‐sided and a tubular layout has not previously been researched. This research fills that void and provides designers with the technical background and a mathematical model for development of such devices.