Abstract
This paper presents an electromagnetic analysis and experimental verification to optimize the noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) characteristics of a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) for wave energy converters (WECs). WECs applicable to breakwater installed in island areas require a wider operating range and a robust design for maintenance compared with wind-turbine systems. Owing to the use of a permanent magnet with a high energy density, the PMSG has a higher power density than other types of generators; however, strong electromagnetic excitation forces that affect the NVH characteristics are generated. Therefore, in this study, the electromagnetic forces are analyzed through an electromagnetic-field analysis using a subdomain analytical method. Based on the analytical solution, electromagnetic forces were determined. Four electromagnetic excitation forces were classified, and the methods for reducing electromagnetic excitation forces are presented here. Finally, a method for evaluating the system resonance through electromechanical analysis is presented. The proposed analysis, optimization, and experimental study are validated through comparison with finite-element analysis and experimental results.
Highlights
With the increasing concerns regarding the depletion of fossil fuels and environmental problems, renewable-energy technologies are attracting attention worldwide [1,2]
The oscillating water column (OWC) wave energy converter (WEC)—an ocean wave energy conversion technology—has a relatively stable structure compared with other types of wave power conversion because mechanical parts are not submerged in seawater [4,5,6,7]
A permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) with a simple structure, high efficiency, and high power density is suitable for use in OWC WECs applicable to breakwater [7,8,9]
Summary
With the increasing concerns regarding the depletion of fossil fuels and environmental problems, renewable-energy technologies are attracting attention worldwide [1,2]. In OWC WECs applicable to breakwater, electricity is generated by a generator by driving an air turbine through a coupling between a wave and an air chamber This system consists of a chamber, a turbine, a generator, and power electronics in a fixed structure. A permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) with a simple structure, high efficiency, and high power density is suitable for use in OWC WECs applicable to breakwater [7,8,9]. This paper presents an electromagnetic analysis and experimental study for improving the NVH characteristics by optimizing the force characteristics of the PMSG for OWC WECs. The subdomain technique is useful for gaining insights into the relationships between design parameters and the performance through a simplified analytical model of the PMSG based on electromagnetic-field theory. An experimental system for vibration measurement was established, and the proposed method was validated using the experimental results
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