Thrust Force Analysis of Slotless Permanent Magnet Linear Generator for Wave Energy Converter

Abstract

The WEC (Wave Energy Converter) that uses a permanent magnet linear generator continues to develop. The most important thing to know in designing WEC with a linear electric generator is the thrust required by the linear generator itself. Therefore, this paper discusses and analyses the thrust that occurs in linear electric generators used in WEC systems. Linear electric generators are simulated using FEMM (Finite Element Magnetic Method) software. FEMM simulation is used to analyse the magnitude of the induced magnetic field received by the conductor at a certain position of the stator. The conductor is given a constant current so that it produces thrust force between the stator and translator; the magnitude of thrust force depends on the magnitude of the magnetic field at the position. In the design and analysis, conductors ware given 3A. The maximum thrust force in the linear electric generator design is 79N, and the average force is 75N, force ripple is 1,2%. The design of the permanent magnet linear generator was done, and the WEC system should produce thrust force at least equal to the force that the generator requires.