Linear Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine for High Acceleration Applications

In this work, a linear permanent magnet machine design is presented for applications that require high acceleration. This design uses aluminum as a supporting material for the moving secondary to reduce mass. Force production is maintained through the use of a quasi-Halbach array of permanent magnets. Aluminum, however, is conductive and the additional losses in the moving secondary lead to higher operating temperatures. The structural integrity of the moving secondary must also be maintained as the aluminum has lower material strength compared to other supporting tube material options. A comparison of material options and magnet array configurations highlights the advantages and disadvantages of the design options. Electromagnetic, thermal, and structural analysis of the selected design are carried out using finite element methods. Additionally, a prototype of the design is evaluated experimentally.