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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]

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]

This article focuses on a Transverse Flux Permanent Magnet generator which benefits from Halbach-array permanent magnets. In this topology, a sinusoidal air-gap flux is achieved and thus, lower THD content and cogging torque is resulted. The Transverse flux generators can be a proper choice for direct drive, low speed, and high torque density applications such as wind turbines. Regarding the available small scale turbines in the market, an operating point is chosen for the proposed machine. The problem of a high torque density generator is thermal stresses which should be taken into consideration in the design and modeling process. Precise thermal modeling at the design stage can take the risk of the increase in machine temperature. Using an active component meshed model by considering the localized losses along with a lumped parameter circuit for the unmeshed parts is proposed for the understudy machine. A 3 kW, 320 rpm generator is designed and analyzed by considering the electromagnetic and thermal properties. It is shown that the magnetic-thermal modeling of the proposed machine is highly consistent with the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]