Design and optimization of an excited reluctance generator using field computation

This paper deals with the design of an excited reluctance generator intended to be used in a direct wind power conversion. This machine is known to be saturated. In our case, the excitation system is constituted by permanent magnets. Due to the machine air gap geometry, the magnets dynamic operating condition can not be neglected. So, an optimal design of such a structure has to take into account these effects which are highly dependent on local geometric parameters. At first, we determine a structure using an analytical approach with simplifying hypotheses. We study its performances by both analytical and numerical approaches and then we optimize it thanks to factorial experiment method coupled to field calculation.