Static-FE Harmonic Analysis of PM Slip Couplers for Wind Turbine Applications

• Published in: IEEE transactions on industry applications Vol. 59; no. 2; pp. 1 - 11
• Main Authors: Ockhuis, Dillan K., Kamper, Maarten J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01-03-2023; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Coils; Couplings; Design optimization; Finite element method; finite-element analysis; Fourier analysis; Harmonic analysis; harmonics; Magnetic coupling; Magnetic flux; permanent magnet; radial flux; Rotors; Slip; Torque; Two dimensional analysis; wind turbine systems; Wind turbines; zero-sequence analysis
• ISSN: 0093-9994; 1939-9367
• DOI: 10.1109/TIA.2022.3217748

This paper proposes a 2-D static finite-element (SFE) analysis method for slip-magnetic couplings (S-PMC). It is found that the traditional assumptions regarding the influence of the dq-PM flux linkages and the dq-inductances on the machine performance can result in a significant error when predicting the maximum torque of S-PMCs used in wind turbine applications. The proposed method solves this by incorporating the frozen permeability technique, which enables the user to quickly and accurately determine the relevant modelling parameters and machine performance results over a wide slip range. Moreover, the proposed analysis method accurately predicts the zerosequence (3 rd harmonic) and higher-order harmonic induced voltages and currents that are present in magnetic couplings. The method is verified by comparing its results to those obtained from a commercial transient FE (T-FE) package, and measurements of a 1000 Nm S-PMC prototype. The S-FE method solutions are verified over a wide slip range and are shown to be significantly less computationally time-intensive compared to the T-FE package, making it ideally suited for design optimization purposes.