Design optimization of ironless multi-stage axial-flux permanent magnet generators for offshore wind turbines

Direct-driven ironless-stator machines have been reported to have low requirements on the strength of the supporting structures. This feature is attractive for offshore wind turbines, where lightweight generators are preferred. However, to produce sufficient torque, ironless generators are normally designed with large diameters, which can be a challenge to the machine’s structural reliability. The ironless multi-stage axial-flux permanent magnet generator (MS-AFPMG) has the advantages of ironless machines but a relatively small diameter. The objective of this article is to present the design optimization and performance investigation of the ironless MS-AFPMG. An existing design strategy, which employs two- and three-dimensional static finite element analyses and genetic algorithm for machine optimization, is improved with the aim of reducing the calculation load and calculation time. This improved design strategy is used to investigate the optimal ironless MS-AFPMG. Some intrinsic features of this kind of machine are revealed

Connecting the dots between brand experience and brand loyalty: The mediating role of brand personality and brand relationships

This article critically examines consumer–brand relationships from the perspective of interpersonal relationship theory. Specifically, the authors investigate the relationship between brand experience and the two components of brand loyalty, namely purchase brand loyalty and attitudinal brand loyalty. The study also examines the link between brand experience and brand relationship variables, brand trust, brand attachment and brand commitment. In addition, the mediating role of brand personality and brand commitment in the relationship between brand experience and brandloyalty is investigated. Drawing on the results of an empirical cross-brand study from three product categories, the authors demonstrate that brand experience, brand personality and brand relationship variables (brand attachment and brand commitment) all affect the degree to which a consumer is loyal to a brand. On the basis of the findings, the authors offer guidelines to managers on how to build and sustain purchase and attitudinal brand loyalty by enhancing brand experience. The theoretical and managerial significance of the findings together with directions for future research are discussed

Toward a theory of repeat purchase drivers for consumer services

The marketing discipline’s knowledge about the drivers of service customers’ repeat purchase behavior is highly fragmented. This research attempts to overcome that fragmented state of knowledge by making major advances toward a theory of repeat purchase drivers for consumer services. Drawing on means–end theory, the authors develop a hierarchical classification scheme that organizes repeat purchase drivers into an integrative and comprehensive framework. They then identify drivers on the basis of 188 face-to-face laddering interviews in two countries (USA and Germany) and assess the drivers’ importance and interrelations through a national probability sample survey of 618 service customers. In addition to presenting an exhaustive and coherent set of hierarchical repeat-purchase drivers, the authors provide theoretical explanations for how and why drivers relate to one another and to repeat purchase behavior. This research also tests the boundary conditions of the proposed framework by accounting for different service types. In addition to its theoretical contribution, the framework provides companies with specific information about how to manage long-term customer relationships successfully

Gamification and Mobile Marketing Effectiveness

A variety of business sectors have been buffeted by the diffusion of mobile technology, a trend that presents a variety of difficult challenges but interesting opportunities to marketers. One such opportunity is gamification, which, one hopes, will enhance appeal to mobile consumers. Our sense from both personal experience and the literature is that the gamified mobile apps currently offered by firms mostly miss the mark. We provide a systematic overview of game design and note how principles derived from that field are highly applicable to gamification in mobile marketing settings. We are aided by the work of Schell (2008), whose Elemental Game Tetrad Model allows us to offer a coherent look at how gamification should affect mobile marketing outcomes

Detailed magnetic field monitoring of short circuit defects of excitation winding in hydro-generator

The excitation windings of the synchronous generators are generally reliable. However, electrical, mechanical, and thermal stresses that the machine is exposed to during its operation leads to the inter-turn and ground insulation faults. On-line condition monitoring could provide a valuable real-time assessment of the synchronous generator. It could discriminate gradual aggravating defects at an incipient stage before it leads to irreversible and costly damages. On-line monitoring of the air gap magnetic field has been used in different types of electrical machines. However, some concerns should be considered when applying this method to the salient pole synchronous generators (SPSG), especially in the SPSG, with a large number of turns per poles that show less or lack of sensitivity to a fault. This difficulty could be solved by wise locating of the Hall effect sensor, choosing precise sampling rate, re-sampling the data and signal processing approach. In this paper, detailed online monitoring of the air gap magnetic field under the excitation winding defect is proposed. A procedure that could detect the severity and location of the fault-based on different analyzing methods of flux density in no-load and full load is proposed. The nominated approach is examined by using numerical modeling and a experimental test rig with a 100 kVA SPSG. It is proven that the air gap magnetic field spectrum could provide a reliable assessment of the machine under the short circuit fault of the rotor field winding

Exploring regional differences in Chinese consumer acceptance of new mobile technology: A qualitative study

This study examines consumer adoption of 3G mobile technology in China. The qualitative study involved 45 in-depth interviews undertaken in three major Chinese cities to explore the beliefs and attitudes which determine Chinese consumers’ acceptance of the mobile technological innovation. The findings are compared and contrasted against those reported in Western studies. The variations underpinning adoption of 3G between consumers in the three regional cities were identified. Specifically, it was found that the regions differed in terms of the relative importance of the identified adoption determinants, such as perceived social outcomes for using the innovation and the effects of social influence on the adoption. These findings provide subtle insight into the nature of Chinese consumers’ responses to new mobile technologies and a better understanding of variations among regional Chinese consumers