Optimizing The Efficiency of a Three Phase Axial Flux Synchronous Generator for Use in Direct-Drive Wind Turbines and Modeling by 3D Finite Element Method

Abstract

The generator used in Direct-Drive wind turbines must have a suitable structure, low speed, high power density and torque, reliability and high efficiency. With the comparisons made between axial flux and radial flux machines, it appears that axial flux machines are more suitable for use in wind turbines with direct drive. The main goal of this article is to optimize the efficiency of the sinusoidal permanent magnet axial flux generator for use in Direct-Drive wind turbines. The optimal design has been done in order to increase the efficiency of the generator. Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm (PSO) has been used to optimize machine efficiency and minimize losses. According to the optimization results for the design of the machine structure with different number of slots, the structure of 12 poles and 18 slots has been selected. In the following, the parameters of the optimized generator are reported, which indicates a suitable design for the desired generator. In the following, the optimized generator was modeled and analyzed by the three-dimensional finite element method (3D-FEM).