Design optimization of magnetic flux distribution for PMG by using response surface methodology

Abstract

Determining the stator slot design parameters of the alternator has a great importance to provide the desired magnetic flux distribution for a permanent magnet generator (PMG). The objective of this article was to investigate the optimum design parameters of PMG slot design for small-scale low-speed wind turbine generator by using the design of experiment techniques. The Maxwell simulations have been used for numerical experiments on geometric design variables of stator slots (Bs0, Bs1, Bs2, and Hs2) in order to evaluate the coefficients of second-order models for the responses. Efficiency, stator teeth flux density, stator yoke flux density, and air-gap flux density are determined as the responses that have to be optimized. A gradient search was used for optimization. The solution of this design problem shows how the experimental design method can be combined with the numerical simulation and how this approach is well adapted to the optimization process. As a result, the efficiency of the PMG is improved under the desired magnetic flux conditions.