A Semi-Anaytical Model for the Analysis of a Permanent Magnet Tubular Linear Generator

In this paper, the authors introduce a semianalytical model for the analysis and the design of a permanent magnet (PM) tubular linear generator intended for electrical energy generation from sea waves. The translator of the analyzed machine is constituted by axially magnetized ferrite PMs with alternating polarity and soft magnetic pole pieces in between; a two-pole, double-layer, three-phase winding is located in the slots of the stator. The presented model, based on the use of the Carter coefficient and of the Fourier transform in the direction of the motion, is able to take into account the end effects due to the finite length of the stator. The presence of slots and teeth is subsequently considered by some postprocessing calculation carried on the results of the semianalytical model. Comparison with a finite element analysis and measurements taken on a prototype has been performed to validate the presented model. The model can be easily extended to other translator typologies, e.g., to air core translator with Halbach array of NdFeB PMs.