The main objective of this paper is to investigate the suitability of Soft Magnetic Composite (SMC) material SOMOLOY1000 for a Switched Reluctance Generator (SRG) through electromagnetic, thermal and vibration characteristics employing extensive Finite Element Analysis. The fabrication aspects of Soft Magnetic Composite Switched Reluctance Generator (SMC-SRG) using preform material blanks utilizing indigenous machining process have been delineated. The static and transient electromagnetic characteristics have been obtained through the electromagnetic finite element analysis software MagNet6.22.1 while the thermal and vibration aspects have been studied through coupled field Finite Element Analysis employing the multi physics software ANSYS10 while the Impulse hammers excitation - free vibration test using RT Pro Photon data acquisition system facilitated the experimental determination of vibration characteristics. The study concludes that the advantages of less weight , low torque ripple, low eddy current losses, reduction in vibration level of stator structure coupled with the ability to maintain precise mechanical dimensional tolerance may present SMC-SRG a viable candidate in standalone wind energy conversion systems meant for rural and remote area electrification scheme.
Effects of Armature Reaction on the Performance of a Claw Pole Motor With Soft Magnetic Composite Stator by Finite-Element Analysis
