The Effects of Magnetic Circuit Geometry and Material Properties on Surface Mounted Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator Performance

Abstract

Permanent magnet synchronous generator is one of the generator types used in electrical energy production. In this study, a 1.5 kW inner rotor, surface located permanent magnet synchronous generator is used as a reference. The computer model of this generator has been prepared using Maxwell Rmxprt software. Rmxprt analysis of the generator has been performed and results were obtained for no-load and nominal load operating conditions. Parameters such as cogging torque which is an important parameter especially for permanent magnet synchronous generators used in wind turbines and efficiency were examined. The effects of changing in magnetic circuit as the permanent magnet pole arc to pole pitch ratio, magnet thickness and magnet material parameters on the generator performance were analyzed comparatively. Using the effects of these parameters, an optimization study has been carried out to increase the performance of the reference PMSG and compared with the values obtained in the initial state.