Modelling of Spatial Harmonic Interactions in a Modular PM Generator

This study analyses the spatial harmonic interactions of the magnetic field with winding currents for a modular PM generator (MPMG) in steady-state operation. We created MPMG mathematical model in which we applied the harmonic balance method (HBM) to an unusual stator winding connection involving parallel path configurations. A star or delta stator winding configuration with two winding paths connected in parallel or in series was introduced. In this way, we obtained four different winding diagrams. However, this approach required some systematization of the analytical model. Using transformations to symmetrical components helped us to make some simplifications of the model, especially for the symmetry of load. We used the proposed model to verify the numerical calculations by performing measurements on a laboratory test stand for a single segment. We performed comparative analyses of the measurement results of the generator-phase currents for four characteristic cases of the stator winding reconfiguration, and the calculations verified the ideal qualitative convergences and satisfactory quantitative convergences.