Optimal design of a hybrid excitation claw-pole alternator based on a 3-D MEC method

Output performance optimization of a hybrid excitation claw-pole alternator is presented using a three-dimensional (3-D) magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) method taking the nonlinear magnetic properties of iron into account. A 3-D MEC model of the hybrid excitation alternator is presented. On this basis, the dimensions of permanent magnets and the output currents are optimized using genetic algorithm and the optimization results are presented.