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Azimuthal Multi-Translator Switched Reluctance Machine for a single phase (a) and three-phase (b) machine configuration.
Accelerators, Magnets, and Power Electrical Systems
P-075
High specific force and improved efficiency linear switched reluctance machine
Abstract
CIEMAT has developed an electric linear machine that can alternatively run as a motor or as a generator and has been initially conceived for its use as an electric generator for wave energy converters. The machine is based on a circular magnetic circuit that establishes an azimuthal magnetic flux which minimizes the amount of required iron and consequently maximizes the specific force. Apart from the marine energy sector, this machine can find applications in other sectors where high force linear drives are required such as compressors, free piston generators or linear actuators for big loads, among others.
Description
Conventional Switched Reluctance Machines (SRM) are usually double-sided machines using two iron return yokes to close the magnetic circuit. These iron return yokes highly increase the weight of the machine and some years ago the concept of multi-translator SRM was introduced and patented to reduce the relative contribution of the return yokes to the overall weight of the machine.
A step forward in this concept is the Azimuthal Multi-Translator Switched Reluctance Machine, which can be depicted in figure a for a single phase. The idea is to arrange the stator coils (active side) and the translator poles (passive side) circumferentially in a kind of toroidal geometry. Figure b shows the required arrangement for an operational three-phase machine configuration.
Benefits
• There are no lateral stators and return yoke or yokes, so its overall weight is reduced significantly. It can be estimated that, compared to a conventional double-sided SRM, a weight reduction above 30% can be achieved. This configuration increases the specific force.
• The leakage flux is smaller than in the rectangular configuration, so more force per ampere-turn can be achieved than in the equivalent rectangular multi-translator SRM. So it can be estimated that for the same electromagnetic conditions of the machine, the azimuthal SRM is able to increase the force by 10% over the conventional solution.
• This invention has a higher force density that together with its circular geometry, makes the machine more compact than conventional ones. Its circular arrangement is more suitable for fitting in the standard cylindrical shape of Wave Energy Converter.
Potential customers
• Companies related to the renewable energy sector (e.g. wave energy).
• Electrical machine manufacturers.
• Companies related to the goods and service sector.
About the technology
• Technology developed, available for demonstration.
• Technology patented. Patent in co-ownership with WEDGE GLOBAL.
• Collaboration requested: License agreement or commercial agreement with technical assistance.