A Novel Structure of Tubular Staggered Transverse-Flux Permanent-Magnet Linear Generator for Wave Energy Conversion

This paper presents a novel linear generator structure of three-phase tubular staggered transverse flux permanent magnet linear generator (TSTF-PMLG) for wave energy conversion. Compared with conventional TF-PMLGs, the new structure has a simpler magnetic flux path, high mechanical strength, low cogging force and more suitable for low-speed direct driven situation. In the primary of TSTF-PMLG, a nonuniform teeth steel sheets structure is used and steel sheets of different phases are in different angel so that the groove can be separated by staggered steel sheets in the plane perpendicular to the direction of movement. By the analytical model, the operation principle of the proposed linear generator is explained. Then through the finite element analysis, the distribution of the main flux and leakage flux, the no-load characteristics and output power of TSTF-PMLG are analyzed in detail. And the influence of the lamination factor on the output characteristics of the TSTF-PMLG is obtained. Subsequently the appropriate design parameters of the TSTF-PMLG are selected. During the TSTF-PMLG processing, the method of mixing silicon steel sheets and fiberglass board is used to limiting the lamination factor. Finially, a prototype of 150 W rated power and 79% rated efficiency is presented. And the experimental results verify the theoretical analysis.