Simulation of a Transverse Flux Linear Induction Motor to determine an Equivalent Circuit using 3D Finite Element

This paper presents a Transverse Flux Linear Induction Motor prototype simulated with a 3D Finite Element tool. The principal objective of this paper is to obtain an accurate method to implement an equivalent circuit that simulates the motor using some specific parameters. The method is developed in three steps. In the first step, there are simulated indirect tests, standstill and locked rotor tests, to represent rotating induction machines. The results of these tests are used to define an equations system that incorporates the longitudinal end-effect. The system allows to determine the specific parameters for an equivalent circuit using six different configurations. In the second step, the parameters are classified in two different groups: parameters from the primary and secondary part. Primary part parameters are tested defining the magnetizing inductance as a combination between the longitudinal and the transversal magnetizing inductance. To this end, the method analyses the first harmonic of the magnetic field wave along the air gap, which is located above the central teeth. Therefore, it is possible to establish a difference between transversal and longitudinal components of the magnetic field density. The parameters of the secondary part will be compared with a linear induction motor that operates with transverse flux configuration using 2D Field Theory. In the third step, the method analyses the parameters using a goodness factor, a dimensionless key performance indicator, specifically used to evaluate the behaviour of linear induction motor and the specific parameters estimated for the equivalent circuit.