Tubular Permanent Magnet Linear Synchronous Generator Design For Linear Engine Applications

Variety of methods were discussed to reduce the cogging force in tubular permanent magnet type linear single phase AC generator. In paticular, the proposed methods depend on the variations of the permanent magnet construction. These methods Include two approaches in the form of sloped magnets, and conical magnets in addition to the conventional method of varying the magnet length. The undesired cogging force ripples were calculated by a two dimensional Finite Element Method(FEM). Moreover, the generated electromotive force in the stator coils was calculated fur each configuration of the permanent magnet. The experimental results agreed well with those obtained from the FEM-based simulations. Sufficient reduction in the cogging force was achieved over the range of 40% while the root mean square of the output voltage was maintained. It was found that the sloping the permanent magnet decreased the cogging force and at the same time increased the generated rms voltage of the AC generator. The performance of the designed linear AC generator was evaluated in terms of its efficiency, total weight, losses, and power to weight ratio.