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Wind energy as the cleanest source of renewable energy requires a highly efficient lightweight generator that provides maximum power density while having the least vibration noise and maintenance. In this study, an axial air gap transverse flux machine is presented, and all excitation sources are located in the stator. This structure provides lower core loss, weight and cost due to the full utilisation of the permanent magnets, SMC‐free structure and short magnetic flux path. In fact, by combining the features of a flux‐switching machine into a transverse flux generator with an axial air gap, it is possible to improve the performance of a direct‐drive wind turbine generator by overcoming traditional structures' challenges. To analyse the axial transverse flux switching permanent magnet generator performance characteristics, 3D finite element simulations have been performed, which have been validated by comparing them to the practical results of a single‐phase prototype. The results are in agreement with an acceptable error that is caused by manufacturing uncertainties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical machines are widely used in home appliances, the performance of which is mostly related to the quality function of the electrical machines. What has been used so far in home appliances brought with themselves a wide assortment of advantages and disadvantages. With the aim to overcome the drawbacks of the previously implemented electrical motors in washing machines, a new configuration of flux switching permanent magnet motor (FSPM) with the segmented outer rotor (SOR‐FSPM) is proposed benefitting from a direct driven drum. To reduce the cogging torque as well as torque ripple and to improve the total harmonic distortion, cutting the stator in a way to lower overlapping between the rotor and stator pole, inserting notches into the poles of the rotor to modify the air gap between the stator teeth and the rotor segments are proposed. The Taguchi method and sensitivity analysis are further applied to find the best combination set of changes in such a way to smoothen the chart showing reluctance between stator and rotor and fix the zero‐point crossing of the flux linkages in different rotor positions. Finally, the proposed SOR‐FSPM is prototyped, and experimental results along with the finite element method results are discussed and compared in order to verify the design process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotor excited flux‐switching permanent magnet machines (REFSPMs) have been recently introduced exhibiting high power density and low permanent magnet consumption. Despite the advantages, 12/8 configuration of REFSPM has an intrinsic unbalanced voltage waveform due to the existence of even‐order harmonics. Aiming to improve the machine voltage THD, using notches on the rotor segments is proposed. To study the effects of the rotor notch on machine performance with low computational time, the non‐linear magnetic equivalent circuit is developed taking into account the effects of fringing fluxes, iron saturation, and rotor transition. An optimisation procedure based on Taguchi method is applied to minimise the voltage THD value taking the effects of uncontrollable factors into account. Finally, the REFSPM is prototyped and the measured results are compared with the analytical and numerical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Axial flux permanent magnet machines (AFPMs) are potential candidates for direct‐drive wind turbines (DDWTs) due to offering high value of torque density. In slotless AFPM topologies, the cogging torque is absent which makes them more suitable for DDWTs, which provides an easier turbine start‐up. In this research, a robust design and optimisation procedure of a slotless double‐sided AFPM is discussed. The non‐linear magnetic equivalent circuit is established and the optimisation is performed by the response surface methodology to achieve a cost‐effective generator with high power density value. The generator is prototyped and the test results are presented comparing them with the numerical study and non‐optimised design results. To minimise the AFPM torque ripple which is necessary for DDWT application, a cost‐effective solution is proposed leading to a dramatic improvement in the AFPM torque ripple without reducing the average torque. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]