FEM study on permanent magnet synchronous generators for small wind turbines

Permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSGs) have a bright prospect in the small wind turbine applications. Finite element method (FEM) is a powerful tool to study and design PMSGs, as reported in this paper. First, FEM is employed to study the PMSG´s output voltage. Valuable conclusions have been drawn regarding of the PMSG´s performance and manufacture cost. Second, a FEM model, which can be used to investigate both radial and axial flux leakage coefficient is presented. Finally, FEM is used to study the cogging torque of PMSGs, and based on the FEM results, the order of the PMSG´s cogging torque and the influence factors are estimated and studied