A Tubular Linear Magnetic Gear/Generator Set for Harvesting Slow-Motion Renewable Energy

This paper will provide the design experience of a linear magnetic gear/generator set that can be incorporated with those slow-motion reciprocating renewable energy sources directly. The tubular system is equipped with one linear magnetic gears set and one linear permanent magnet generator integrated coaxially, and the external mechanical forces can be incorporated to the outer low-speed mover of the system. Through proper magnetic coupling designs, the conveyed electromagnetic energy can be coupled to the internal stator winding coils to produce the desired electric power output. By introducing the detailed three-dimensional finite element analyses and the Taguchi’s method for assisting the system design assessments, a laboratory prototype with 15 cm in diameter and 30 cm in length has been developed, and preliminary results showed that a power rating of 220 W can be achieved at a reciprocating frequency of 5 Hz along with an operational stroke of ±2.0 cm.