Electrical generators for maritime application

This paper presents feasible options for generators in flywheel of diesel engine for small maritime application. An outer rotor permanent magnet (PM) machine with concentrated windings is preferred for this application since it has good integration in a flywheel, higher power density and efficiency than electrically excited synchronous generators, induction generators, etc. A nonlinear transient finite-element-method (FEM) model is developed to calculate iron losses. Afterwards, the model is used for optimal design of a neodymium PM generator improved in terms of power density. Magnet thickness of redesigned generator is only 2 mm, so it has less possibility to break during maintenance. The FEM model is validated by experiment. Results show good agreement.