A Comparative Study of Methods for Modelling the Structural Stiffness of Generator Components

Jaen-Sola, Pablo; Mcdonald, A.S.

Abstract

Direct-drive generators are low speed electrical machines requiring robust and large supporting structures designed to resist the significant loads present during assembly and operation. Generator structures have to be stiff, especially in the radial direction for radial-flux machines. This paper presents three different structural modelling approaches: finite element, analytical and hybrid (a combination of the results obtained from dimensional studies and finite element analyses). These are used along with models of electromagnetic active material, to parametrically calculate the minimum structural stiffness and mass of the components forming the machine.

Citation

Jaen-Sola, P., & Mcdonald, A. (2016, April). A Comparative Study of Methods for Modelling the Structural Stiffness of Generator Components. Presented at 8th IET International Conference on Power Electronics, Machines and Drives (PEMD 2016), Glasgow, UK

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: 8th IET International Conference on Power Electronics, Machines and Drives (PEMD 2016)
• Start Date: Apr 19, 2016
• End Date: Apr 21, 2016
• Acceptance Date: Nov 2, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Nov 10, 2016
• Publication Date: Nov 10, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jul 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9781785611889
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1049/cp.2016.0314
• Keywords: Structural stiffness; modelling; direct-drive; radial-flux permanent magnet generator
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/1965916