Structural design and performance prediction of novel modular tubular permanent magnet linear synchronous motor

The limitation of the primary core length of the tubular permanent magnet synchronous linear motor (TPMSLM) causes large thrust ripples during operation. To end this, a modular TPMSLM with two units is proposed. The principle of its suppression of end effects is derived, and utilization of the three-phase winding is improved using the star vectograms of the back electromotive force (EMF). Afterward, an equivalent subdomain method is adopted to analyze the above structure. This method combines the subdomain and the equivalent magnetic circuit (EMC) model, and the comparison with nonlinear FEM verifies its effectiveness. Using this integrated approach, reasonable structure parameters are selected. Finally, the experimental platform of the two-unit modular TPMSLM prototype is built with the selected structural parameters. Good agreement between the simulation and the experiment on the back EMF, detent force, and the prototype's static thrust verifies the new structure's feasibility.

Automated summary

A modular tubular permanent magnet synchronous linear motor (TPMSLM) with two units is proposed in this paper to address the thrust ripple issue caused by the limitation of the primary core length. The improvement in the utilization of the three-phase winding and the analysis using an equivalent subdomain method are conducted to select suitable structure parameters. The feasibility of the new structure is verified through experiments.