Large hydrogenerator design using advanced tools

A more powerful optimization technique has recently been developed that enlarges the design space, optimizes the design, and further automates the design process. The new process is used to optimize the total losses in generator design with constraints on the stator temperature rise. Using this new technique it was possible to reduce the total losses by 20%. Automatic finite element mesh generators for both integral and fractional slot machines have been developed to model single and multiple pole pitches for electromagnetic field solutions. The permeance model developed recently by using combined analytical and magneto-static finite element solutions with one pole pitch model has proven to be very powerful in analyzing the sources of vibration frequencies and mode shapes.