Design and testing of a four-sided permanent magnet linear generator prototype

In the perspective of the fossil fuels deposits depletion new energy resources must be developed; amongst them the renewable energy sector seems to be able to provide a long term solution. Besides the already popular wind, solar or thermal energies, the ocean energy sector offers a virtually infinite energy potential; many solutions for harvesting and converting this energy into usable form are under investigation, most of them using complex mechanical or hydraulic systems to convert the slow, linear movement specific to waves into rotational movement, compatible with the classical electric generators. Our focus is on systems using linear electric generators, offering higher efficiency and reliability, the present paper presenting the stages covered to choosing, designing, building and testing a linear generator.