FEM Based Prototype of Moving-Coil Coreless Linear-Generator (MCCLG) for Wave Energy Extraction

Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department, Yanbu Industrial College, Yanbu, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Linear generators are one of the most efficient sea wave’s energy extraction setup. In the linear generator setup the energy is taken out by the vertical movement of waves. In most of the energy conversion systems, the energy is extracted by rotating motion by using the rotary generators. This paper is based on the prototype design of moving coil linear generator. The analysis of the prototype is done using the Maxwell finite element software. Finite-Element-Method (FEM) is used to analytically calculate the induced voltage and cogging forces. In this research, the FEM model of a coreless moving coil P.M linear generator has been outlined with an air cored stator. The main aim of the prototype is to convert marine energy directly without conversion from one form of motion to another, in regions the wave height is around 50 cm. A detail machine design formula is derived for the bases of initial prototype design. Prototype is modelled using Maxwell 2D FEM analysis. Hardware setup results were discussed to confirm the design, and to explore the working of the prototype as a generator. The movement of coils is accomplished by buoyancy mechanism of sea waves. The EMF generated is 6 Vp-p according to finite element simulation software. The prototype is able to generate EMF of about 2.5 Vp-p.