Analytical Performance Estimation of a Fall-Back Inner-Rotor Transverse-Flux Permanent Magnet Generator using Magnetic Equivalent Reluctance Circuit

Abstract

The potential of wind energy resources is propelled fast and power extraction is increasing considerably due to the development of reliable and cost-effective wind turbine generators. Various permanent magnet (PM) wind generators have been implemented for wind power generation, among which, the conventional transverse-flux permanent magnet generator (TFPMG) is popular due to their higher torque density and simple coil design, but it has some disadvantages in comparison with radial flux PM generator, i.e., higher flux leakages and complex 3D flux pattern. In this article, a fall-back inner rotor transverse-flux PM wind generator FB-TFPMG has been investigated to override the disadvantages of conventional TFPMG. It employs half of the total PMs on the rotor and U-shaped stator cores. An analytical model of the proposed FB-TFPMG has derived using magnetic equivalent reluctance circuit (MERC) to predict the performance of the generator, i.e., flux densities in the air-gap, under aligned and unaligned conditions of rotor PMs with U-shaped stator cores. The results of the MERC model is verified with the results obtained through 3D finite element analysis.

Keywords:

• fall-back rotor
• magnetic equivalent reluctance circuit
• permanent magnet machines
• renewable energy sources
• transverse-flux
• wind energy
• wind generator

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mahesh A. Patel

Mahesh A. Patel received the M. Tech. in Electrical Engineering with specialization in Power Apparatus & Systems from Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India in 2008 and Ph. D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the Department of Electrical Engineering, Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad. At present, he is working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering, Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad. His research area includes design and analysis of advanced electrical machines, modeling of electrical machines and finite element analysis.

Santosh C. Vora

Santosh C. Vora (SM ’21) was born in 1974. He received the B.E. degree in electrical engineering from Saurashtra University, Rajkot, India, in 1997 and the M.E. and Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering with specialization in high-voltage engineering from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, in 2004 and 2009 respectively. At present, he is working as Professor in the Dept. of Electrical Engineering, Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad. His research areas include power system analysis, effect of inclusion of renewable systems in the conventional power system, advanced electrical machines and high-voltage measurement related instrumentation and diagnostics.