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This paper investigates a special tubular staggered-teeth transverse-flux permanent-magnet linear machine (TST-TFPMLM) for a free-piston Stirling power generating system. With the complicated flux leakage characteristic of the TST-TFPMLM considered, the general forms and evaluation method of the flux leakage are investigated by finite-element analysis, and the distribution law and reduction method of the flux leakage are obtained. To help the initial design of the TST-TFPMLM, both back electromotive force (EMF) and thrust are taken as the main concerned aims, and the influence of some primary structural parameters on both back EMF and thrust is studied. To improve the key performances of the TST-TFPMLM, the power factor is investigated with respect to the dimensions of permanent magnets (PMs), winding turns, armature current, internal power factor angle, and tooth tip dimensions. Furthermore, the methods of improving both efficiency and thrust density are explored. A prototype machine is manufactured and tested, and satisfactory experimental results are obtained, showing the feasibility of the TST-TFPMLM for the free-piston Stirling power generating system. This investigation provides a new idea to solve the drawbacks of conventional transverse-flux PM linear machines, which include complicated structure, poor manufacturability, high flux leakage, and low power factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flux-switching transverse-flux permanent magnet linear machine (FSTFPMLM) is proposed in this paper, combining the advantages of the transverse-flux linear machine and the flux-switching linear machine. First, the structure and operating principle of the FSTFPMLM is presented. Second, the magnetic field of a simplified FSTFPMLM is numerically computed by the three-dimensional (3-D) finite-element method (FEM). Third, the thrust characteristics of the machine, including the thrust force, cogging force, and force ripple, are numerically analyzed. The influence of structure parameters on the thrust characteristics has been analyzed by the 3-D FEM. The law of thrust, cogging force, and force ripple as the pole pitch ratio between primary and secondary, and the ratio between the tooth width and pole pitch of the secondary variable provides the guidance to design FSTFPMLM, which aims to achieve a larger thrust, smaller cogging and force ripple using less permanent magnet materials. The thrust force capabilities of FSTFPMLM are compared with other topologies of linear machines. Finally, the prototype and experimental setup have been developed, and the calculated results and the measured results are in good agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linear permanent magnet Vernier machines (LPMVM) have received more and more attention in recent years due to the advantages of high thrust density and low thrust ripple, which are both required in many direct-drive applications. In this paper, a double-sided toroidal-winding LPMVM (DSTWLPMVM) is proposed, and the thrust ripple sources for this type of machine are analyzed. To emphasize the specificity of LPMVM in aspect of thrust ripple optimization, a traditional fractional-slot linear permanent magnet synchronous machine is selected as a reference. Two indexes [amplitude difference (AD) and phase shifting (PS)] are defined to quantify the thrust ripple caused by the AD and the PS among three-phase electromotive force (EMF), respectively. Additionally, detent force is also considered when optimizing the three-phase EMF. Finally, a prototype of DSTWLPMVM is manufactured and tested. The measured EMF is basically symmetrical sinusoidal waveforms and the peak-to-peak value of the detent force is lower than 10 N. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel partitioned-primary hybrid-excited flux-switching linear machines (PP-HEFSLMs) with unaligned and aligned structures are proposed, which exhibit advantages of direct-driven, wide speed operation, robust secondary, etc. Unlike conventional hybrid-excited topologies, the proposed PP-HEFSLMs accommodate armature and excitation windings on two separated parts of the partitioned primary, which solves the problem of crowded primary; hence, both flux-adjusting ratio and thrust force density are effectively improved. The topology and operation principle of the two PP-HEFSLMs are introduced in detail first. Based on finite-element method (FEM) analysis, major geometric parameters are investigated and optimized then. For the optimized structures, the electromagnetic performances, i.e., thrust force characteristics, demagnetization, flux-regulation capability, and inductances are calculated and further compared. The results manifest both structures show a satisfactory flux-adjusting ratio particularly for an aligned structure and good fault-tolerant capability due to tiny mutual inductances between phases. Although the thrust density of the aligned structure is relatively low compared with its unaligned counterpart, it can be taken as a mechanical flux-weakening method by aligning permanent magnets with armature teeth. Finally, three-dimensional FEM analysis is performed to validate the two-dimensional FEM predicted results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the development of a new topology of cylindrical transverse flux linear machine for use with a free piston engine. Despite its three-dimensional flux path, the stator of this topology can be made from regular laminated components and only the translator includes soft magnetic composites. The design development is discussed, including alternative winding and fabrication techniques. Finite element analysis, results of a laboratory prototype, and numerical-reluctance analysis are all used to give insight into the machine characteristics. By using flux and flux linkage factors, the tradeoff between force requirement and power factor is explored. It is shown that the power factor of this topology will generally vary from 0.89 to 0.6, which compares well with other transverse flux machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new permanent magnet (PM) linear machine, termed the bipolar-flux (BF) doubly salient PM (DSPM) linear machine, is proposed and implemented. This BF-DSPM machine incorporates the stator-PM structure and the mover-PM structure into the DSPM machine topology. It consists of a mover with fault-tolerant teeth (FTT) and a stator with consequent poles. The FTT structure can provide the feature of phase-to-phase independence, thus offering the fault-tolerant capability. By using finite element analysis, the electromagnetic performances of the proposed machine are analyzed and then quantitatively compared with that of the flux-reversal PM machine, PM brushless DC (BLDC) machine and dual-PM machine. It confirms that the proposed machine can offer the advantages of high power density, high force density, and fault-tolerant capability. Experimental results are also given to verify the feasibility of the proposed machine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The axial overhang of the permanent magnet (PM) has widely been used to enhance the thrust per loss, particularly in air-core structure where the radial flux density is low. This communication investigates PM overhang effects in coreless-type PM linear machines. To analyze the structure where the magnet length exceeds the active length of the mover coil, a new approach using the conductor separation method is introduced and developed to calculate the electromagnetic thrust of the linear machine designed with the overhang magnet. The proposed method is based on an extended 3-D winding factor and a lumped parameter magnetic circuit model to take end effects into account. It is noted that presented overhang analysis can be applicable to any configurations of wound copper coil. The validity of analytical results derived by the proposed method is confirmed by 3-D finite element and experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four modular permanent magnet linear machines (PMLMs) with E-core and C-core primary segments and 12-slot/13-pole (12s/13p) and 12-slot/14-pole (12s/14p) slot/pole combinations are compared in this paper. The influences of flux gap width on the electromagnetic performances and power losses have been investigated based on 2-D finite-element modeling. It has been found that, by choosing proper flux gap width, not only the average thrust force can be improved but also the force ripple and iron losses can be reduced for all the machines. Also, the E-core modular PMLM has higher thrust force and lower detent force compared with the C-core modular PMLM with respect to the same slot/pole combination. Moreover, the 12s/13p modular PMLMs can achieve better electromagnetic performances than the 12s/14p ones regardless of E-core or C-core primary structures. Finally, by shaping the end teeth, the detent force and force ripple of the four modular PMLMs are further mitigated. The 12s/13p E-core modular PMLM is proven to be the best type among these four modular machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a novel dc-excited flux-modulated linear machine with a new primary structure for utilizing amorphous core. Although amorphous core is regarded as a good candidate in highly efficient electric machines, and is being investigated for decades, it has not been widely used in electric machines yet. The key challenge is the difficulty in slotting. For the new structure, the difficulty in slotting is avoided. Furthermore, the proposed machine is economical and has a robust double salient structure without any permanent magnets, and both single-toothed field and armature windings are located together in the primary core. By regulating the field excitation, the machine can operate at a wide speed range. Due to the low loss of amorphous core, this machine shows high efficiency at high speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to fully utilize the high-energy nature of permanent magnet (PM) material, the stator-PM structure and the mover-PM structure of linear machines are integrated into one doubly salient PM machine topology, leading to a new class of doubly salient dual-PM linear machines. In essence, PMs are mounted on both the stator and mover iron cores while avoiding magnetic saturation, hence offering the high force density and high power density. Meanwhile, it consists of a fault-tolerant tooth stator and a consequent-pole mover, which can provide the fault-tolerant capability and exert the salient effect, respectively. By using finite-element analysis, the proposed machine is optimized for application to regenerative shock absorbers which can provide on-board renewable energy harvesting in vehicles. The machine performances are analyzed and quantitatively compared with that of its counterparts including the stator-PM linear machine and the mover-PM linear machine. Moreover, both the flat and tubular morphologies of the proposed machine are quantitatively compared and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new flux reversal permanent magnet (FRPM) linear machine known as the partitioned stator FRPM (PS-FRPM) linear machine is proposed. The structure and the operation principle of the machine are described, and the major design parameters are optimized for maximum thrust force. A periodic model is also used in the analysis in order to highlight the significant effect of the longitudinal end effect on the machine performance, particularly in terms of unbalanced magnetic circuit and cogging force. Furthermore, the proposed machine is compared with the conventional FRPM linear machine. It is concluded that higher thrust force, less cogging force, and consequently less thrust force ripple can be obtained by the proposed machine. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A variable pole pitch linear induction motor (VPPLIM) is proposed as a new member of the family of electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS). With proper designing of the variation of the pole pitch, the VPPLIM could accelerate the aircraft almost uniformly at the condition of the usual ac supply, avoiding the use of large-scale power electronic converters. Special considerations in the design of VPPLIM, such as the structure topology, the variation of the pole pitch, and the winding arrangement are discussed in detail in this paper. The acceleration performance of the VPPLIM fed by a constant-voltage constant-frequency supply is analyzed by means of the quasi-steady-state 2-D magnetic field model and the difference model of mover’s dynamics. A two-stage method is proposed to simulate the acceleration performance of the VPPLIM based on a 2-D thrust table of the motor achieved by the finite-element method. The calculated features of the prototype VPPLIM consist well with those expected for EMALS. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Due to the achievable high force densities, permanent magnet linear machines with transverse flux configurations are gaining increased interest in electromagnetic launch (EML) applications, in which the force density demand is crucial. This paper deals with the design of a tubular transverse flux linear machine (TFLM) targeting EML applications, and the issues pertinent to its topology selection, design optimization, and thermal modeling are discussed. By overall comparison of practical topologies and technologies of the TFLM, a tubular moving-magnet topology with separated flux paths is believed to be more appropriate. Design optimization is then performed to maximize the thrust force under specific volumetric constraints. It is shown that the thrust force is more sensitive to the stator segment length, instead of the magnet thickness. Regarding the overload requirement inherent in EML systems, special focus is given on the thermal characteristics of the TFLM at overload conditions, and it is proved that the machine shows appreciable overload capability. Measurements carried out on a prototype TFLM have validated the predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Analysis of armature reaction field and inductance is extremely important for design and control implementation of electromagnetic machines. So far, most studies have focused on magnetic field generated by permanent-magnet (PM) poles, whereas less work has been done on armature reaction field. This paper proposes a novel analytical modeling method to predict the armature reaction field of a coreless PM tubular linear machine with dual Halbach array. Unlike conventional modeling approach, the proposed method formulates the armature reaction field for electromagnetic machines with finite length, so that the analytical modeling precision can be improved. In addition, winding inductance is also analytically formulated to facilitate dynamic motion control based on the reaction field solutions. Numerical result is subsequently obtained with finite-element method and employed to validate the derived analytical models. A research prototype with dual Halbach array and single phase input is developed. Experiments are conducted on the reaction field and inductance to further verify the obtained mathematical models. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]