The aim of this paper is to present the design and modeling of a machine that possesses some advantageous characteristics for wind energy conversion applications. The studied machine is a double stator inner rotor axial airgap flux switching permanent magnet machine (AFSPM). The paper will start by presenting this type of machine and its points of interest. Then, it will continue by introducing the constructed prototype and its specifications and structure. This prototype has been designed based on a reference specification used at GREAH to develop different prototypes and compare their performances. The second part will introduce the reluctance network model specifically constructed for this type of machine. The constructed model was validated by comparing its results to the results from the finite element method model. Finally, the experimental results will be presented and compared to the reluctance network (RN) model results where satisfying agreement between both results was obtained.

This paper presents the design of a hybrid excited flux switching Vernier machine. This machine is designed to serve in renewable energy conversion applications, such as a wind turbine generator, or tidal turbine generator. After introducing this original structure, a design based on finite element models is conducted. The specifications correspond to relatively low power direct drive wind or tidal turbine applications. The rated power is set to 10 kW, with a rated speed of 300 rpm. Mainly the electromagnetic design is presented. Aspects related to the realization of a prototype are also presented, and an experimental study is included.

This paper attempts to present a quasi-3D finite element method technique for modeling and analyzing tubular linear permanent magnet machines (TLPM) with translator eccentricity. Normal tubular linear machines can be modeled effectively using 2D axisymmetric models, but with the introduction of the eccentricity factor into the geometry the axis symmetry is no longer valid, and hence 3D modeling techniques become the only way for studying the machine. However, sometimes 3D modeling can become time-consuming and requires a huge amount of resources especially for non-linear problems, so the interest in modeling techniques that can represent the problem at hand with less computation time and relatively accurate results is high. A quasi-3D technique was specifically developed to be able to represent the eccentricity in TLPMs. The finite element method (FEM) was used for modeling. Eccentricity analysis has been carried on two different TLPM structures using the proposed quasi-3D, and the results from the quasi-3D model were compared to those obtained using the 3D FEM model. Both the open circuit and the on-load operating conditions were studied with the magnetic saturation taken into account. The behavior and the accuracy of the proposed model varied between the two studied structures and for the different operating conditions, and with very low computation time and cost the results obtained from the quasi-3D model were satisfactory in general except for certain cases.

In this contribution the efficiency maps of synchronous machines are analyzed. The tool developed to draw these efficiency maps allows considering the synchronous machines electromagnetic parameters and related losses. It will be exploited to analyze the effects of the different parameters on the efficiency maps. The developed tool is based on the synchronous machine’s electrical circuit model in the Park’s referential frame. The adopted modeling approach allows considering all types of classical synchronous machines: wound field synchronous machines (WFSM), permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSM), hybrid excited synchronous machines (HESM) and synchronous reluctance machines (SRM). It can even indirectly consider the effect of magnetic saturation. These analyses will help identify parameters sets allowing optimizing the energy efficiency of synchronous machines for a given application like electrical traction. Particularly, the effect of saliency ratio will be considered and studied.

Cοntributiοn à l'étude des engrenages électrοmagnétiques pοur les applicatiοns énergies renοuvelables: Les systèmes de conversion d'énergie pour les énergies renouvelables reposent sur des boîtes de vitesses mécaniques pour transmettre la puissance mécanique à la machine électrique à des vitesses plus élevées et pour éviter d'avoir de très gros générateurs. Le principal problème des engrenages mécaniques est leur faible fiabilité et la nécessité d'une lubrification et d'un entretien réguliers. Les engrenages magnétiques assurent la transmission de puissance entre deux ports grâce à l'interaction sans frottement des forces magnétiques. Certains avantages potentiels de l'utilisation d'engrenages magnétiques sont une maintenance réduite, une isolation possible entre les arbres d'entrée et de sortie et une protection inhérente contre les surcharges. Afin de couvrir l'ensemble des objectifs définis, le travail a été divisé en quatre chapitres. L'aperçu de la littérature du premier chapitre a montré que des engrenages magnétiques remarquablement performants ont été développés. Dans le deuxième chapitre, des modèles de circuits équivalents magnétiques efficaces en calcul 3D et quasi-3D qui pourraient prendre en compte la saturation magnétique et les effets de bord ont été présentés. Il a été constaté que ces méthodes pouvaient réaliser un gain de temps important par rapport à la méthode des éléments finis, mais avec une légère réduction de la précision. Le troisième chapitre comprenait un aperçu des systèmes d'énergie marine renouvelable et des applications des engrenages magnétiques dans ce domaine, puis une étude d'optimisation a été réalisée pour proposer une conception d'engrenage magnétique qui pourrait convenir aux applications des énergies marines renouvelables. Le quatrième chapitre a présenté une étude et une analyse sur le défaut d'excentricité qui pourrait se produire dans les machines linéaires tubulaires, où un modèle de méthode d'éléments finis 3D a d'abord été utilisé, puis pour réduire le temps de calcul un élément fini quasi-3D outil méthodologique a été développé.