Electromagnetic parameter characterization of a short-stroke linear PM generator for renewable energy application

The paper describes a procedure to determine the electromagnetic parameters of a short-stroke single-phase tubular permanent magnet linear generator (TPMLG) by the elaboration of suitable experimental tests executed on a three-pole prototype. In particular, the magnetic properties of the stator SMC core as well as of the mover PM magnetization profile are determined by a procedure matching static measurements and results of corresponding finite element analyses (FEAs). Such procedure enables to identify more accurately the material magnetic properties, since results evidenced remarkably poorer characteristics with respect to the material reference datasheets, likely due to manufacturing processes. Corrected magnetic parameters are then used to quantify the performance de-rating with respect to the preliminary design as for voltage, force and stator core losses, in order to assess possible design modifications.