Integrated structural and electromagnetic design of direct-drive linear machines for wave energy

Combined electrical and structural models of four types of permanent magnet linear electrical machines suitable for direct-drive power take-off in wave energy applications are presented. Electromagnetic models were developed using polynomial approximation to finite-element analysis results. The structural models are based on simple beam theory and other classical techniques. Unoptimised example designs are provided for each machine using the integrated tools, demonstrating their potential usefulness in an integrated optimisation process.