Low speed PM generator for wind turbines applications

The paper deals with the design, FEM analysis, and testing of a surface-mounting permanent magnet (PM) generator with an inner rotor for wind applications. The purpose of this work has been to build a PM generator with simple structure, good performances and very low cogging torque. With a view to minimize the cogging torques, a very high Least Common Multiplier (LCM) between the number of poles and slots was chosen. The paper presents the main design aspects, the performance characteristics and some test results of the PM generator prototype. Good agreement between simulated and experimental results has been achieved.