Review of direct-drive radial flux wind turbine generator mechanical design

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dc.contributor.authorStander J.N.
dc.contributor.authorVenter G.
dc.contributor.authorKamper M.J.
dc.date.accessioned2012-05-17T08:58:56Z
dc.date.available2012-05-17T08:58:56Z
dc.date.issued2012
dc.description.abstractThe direct-drive radial flux synchronous generator is considered as the modern wind turbine drive train. Both the electrically (e.g., Enercon) and permanent magnet (PM; e.g., Siemens) excited direct-drive generators are gaining popularity on the market today. Compared with the matured geared counterpart, the electrically excited direct-drive generator is heavier and more expensive but more reliable per unit capacity. The PM-excited generator is expensive, is simpler in electromechanical design, has a high power-to-weight ratio, and yields a higher energy conversion efficiency than its electrically excited equivalent. The PM generator technology has the potential to yield the highest energy-to-cost ratio. However, standardization of this direct-drive generator parts/subassemblies may overcome the existing cost barrier. Most current literature focuses on PM generator wind turbine technology, specifically on generator energy conversion optimization, and the scalability of technologies to capacities in access of 5 MW. Strangely, PM generator's mass and cost reductions through optimized structural design incorporating manufacturing, transportation, and installation constraints are less studied. This paper solely focuses on the mechanical and structural design aspects of large radial flux synchronous PM generators specific to direct-drive wind turbines. Generator topologies such as the common iron-cored and unconventional air-cored generator are discussed. However, design considerations specific to the iron-cored generator topology are studied. The design considerations investigated involve the geometries and the configurations of rotor/stator active and inactive structures, the interfaces, and the conductor/PM mounting methods. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
dc.identifier.citationWind Energy
dc.identifier.citation15
dc.identifier.citation3
dc.identifier.citation459
dc.identifier.citation472
dc.identifier.issn10954244
dc.identifier.other10.1002/we.484
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/21032
dc.subjectAir-cored
dc.subjectDesign considerations
dc.subjectDirect drive
dc.subjectDrive train
dc.subjectElectro mechanical design
dc.subjectEnercon
dc.subjectgenerator
dc.subjectMechanical design
dc.subjectMechanical structures
dc.subjectPer unit
dc.subjectPM generator
dc.subjectPower-to-weight ratios
dc.subjectRadial flux
dc.subjectSiemens
dc.subjectWind turbine technology
dc.subjectConversion efficiency
dc.subjectDesign
dc.subjectMass transportation
dc.subjectOptimization
dc.subjectStructural design
dc.subjectSynchronous generators
dc.subjectTopology
dc.subjectWind turbines
dc.subjectcost-benefit analysis
dc.subjectdesign
dc.subjectefficiency measurement
dc.subjectelectric field
dc.subjectequipment component
dc.subjectinstallation
dc.subjectiron
dc.subjectmagnetic field
dc.subjectmechanics
dc.subjectstandardization
dc.subjectwind power
dc.subjectwind turbine
dc.subjectyam
dc.titleReview of direct-drive radial flux wind turbine generator mechanical design
dc.typeReview
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