An Improved Magnetic Equivalent Circuit Model for Iron-Core Linear Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motors

The aim of this work is to establish an accurate yet simple method for predicting flux density distribution and iron losses in linear permanent-magnet synchronous motors (LPMSMs) for iterative design procedures. For this purpose, an improved magnetic equivalent circuit for calculation of the teeth and yoke flux densities in the LPMSMs is presented. The magnetic saturation of iron core is considered by nonlinear elements and an iterative procedure is used to update these elements. The armature reaction is also taken into account in the modeling by flux sources located on the teeth of motors. These sources are time dependent and can model every winding configuration. The relative motion between the motor primary and secondary is considered by wisely designing air gap elements simplifying the permeance network construction and preventing permeance matrix distortion during primary motion. Flux densities in different load conditions are calculated by means of the proposed model. The effects of saturation and armature reaction on the flux density distribution are shown in detail. Using these flux densities, iron losses in the motor are examined and its variations versus motor parameters are then studied. All results obtained by proposed model are verified by finite-element method based on an extensive analysis.