Design optimisation of a transverse flux, short stroke, linear generator

This study entails the design optimisation of a tubular, transverse flux, reciprocating linear electric generator for short stroke, high frequency applications - more specifically with resonant free-piston Stirling engines. Gradient-based iterative dimensional optimisation was performed using a static three-dimensional finite element analysis in order to determine the most suitable design. The electromagnetically active mass of the generator was minimised while maintaining certain power output and efficiency levels. Three consecutive optimisations were performed with increasing degrees of freedom to investigate the influence thereof on the mass of the generator. The final design is considered to be an improvement on previous efforts.