Design, analysis, and control of a variable electromotive-force generator with an adjustable overlap between the rotor and the stator

A variable electromotive-force generator (VEG), which is a modified generator with an adjustable overlap between the rotor and the stator, is proposed to expand the operational range of a regular generator through a simple and robust active control strategy. It has a broad range of applications in hybrid vehicles, wind turbines, water turbines, and similar technologies. A mathematical model of the VEG is developed, and a novel prototype is designed and fabricated. The performance of the VEG with an active control system, which adjusts the overlap ratio based on the desired output power at different rotor speeds for a specific application, is theoretically and experimentally studied. The results show that reducing the overlap between the rotor and the stator of the generator results in reduced torque loss of the generator and an increased rotational speed of the generator rotor. A VEG can improve the fuel efficiency of hybrid vehicles; it can also expand operational ranges of wind turbines and water turbines and harness more power.