End Effects and Geometric Compensation in Linear Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generators with Different Topologies

Electricity production from ocean waves with different solutions is a topic of major research interest. Many of such designs are based on linear generators that inherently introduce end forces. In this paper, detent force using Maxwell Stress Tensor and induced voltage is initially investigated for two different winding patterns for a generator topology with buried magnets in a finite element software. Two ways of overcoming the end forces are further examined: the first method reduces the magnetic flux variations of the translator between stator and air. The second method aims at countering the end forces at both ends for full active stator area. A comparison is then made between buried and surface-mounted topologies for the second end effect compensation method. Both no-load and load conditions are investigated in the comparison. The end effect compensation shows promising results for both topologies. Some clear similarities of the extended stator used to counter the end forces are also apparent, where the stator extensions completely cover the outer poles of both topologies. The results also indicate a longer full active stator area for the buried topology for the same pole-pitch and stroke length, resulting in a higher average voltage for partial stator overlap.