A new optimization methodology of the linear generator for wave energy conversion systems

The implementation of a conventional genetic algorithm (GA) to maximize the output electrical power or minimize cost and weight from the linear generator (LG) suffers from the fact that, it takes huge time to find solution for optimization because, it analyzes all possible permutations and combinations of pole teeth size, teeth gap, depth of teeth, pitch, stator teeth size, air-gap, stator and translator thickness mainly. Moreover, it is very difficult to include some of the parameters like shape of translator and stator of LG in the scope of the conventional GA, adaptive GA or knowledge based GA. This paper presents a novel methodology including human intervened GA for the design, analysis, and graphical optimization of an LG which is basically a direct drive system based oceanic wave energy converter to maximize output power. These parameters are then graphically optimized within functional volumetric and electromagnetic constraints to achieve improved design solutions. The proposed method includes comprehensive geometric dimensions, magnetic and electrical parameters using finite element modeling of an LG for which parameters are determined using commercial ANSYS/Ansoft software.