Magnetic Gears for Ocean Generators

Due to the unique operating loads encountered by marine hydrokinetic generators the currently available off-the-shelf hydraulic, mechanically geared, and direct-drive generator technologies do not provide the necessary reliability and efficiency within a compact size. This proposed project will demonstrate the potential for a dual-stage magnetically geared generator to radically improve the levelized cost, reliability, and efficiency of ocean generators. A magnetic gear creates speed change without any physical contact, eliminates gear lubrication and can operate at high efficiency. A magnetic gear also has inherent overload protection as excessive torque will simply cause the poles to slip, whereas a mechanical gearbox would catastrophically fail. A high gear-ratio magnetic gear can step-down the large ocean torques allowing a low cost, high-speed, generator to be utilized. Currently developed magnetic gears have not been environmentally tested, using motions that mimic the ocean, and do not operate at the necessary high gear-ratios needed by ocean generator developers. This Phase I project will use scaled wave converter torque-speed values to environmentally mimic the oceanĺs motion and for the first-time test and confirm the reliability of a multistage magnetic gear. This Phase I project will also complete the design of a new dual-stage magnetic gear that has an operating gear ratio greater than 110:1. This gear ratio is much higher than existing built magnetic gears and more aligned with ocean generator company needs. FluxMagic will work closely with end-use customers, Columbia Power Technologies and AquaHarmonics Inc. to ensure that the magnetic gear specifications and reliability capabilities align with all necessary marine hydrokinetic performance metrics. Magnetic gears could be utilized in many industries that value reliability, low maintenance and efficiency. For instance, high gear-ratio magnetic gears could be very useful in certain robotic applications as well as for use in ship and electric aircraft propulsion.