A 3-D Simulation of a Single-Sided Linear Induction Motor with Transverse and Longitudinal Magnetic Flux

This paper presents a novel and improved configuration of a single-sided linear induction motor. The geometry of the motor has been modified to be able to operate with a mixed magnetic flux configuration and with a new configuration of paths for the eddy currents induced inside the aluminum plate. To this end, two slots of dielectric have been introduced into the aluminum layer of the moving part with a dimension of 1 mm, an iron yoke into the primary part, and lastly, the width of the transversal slots has been optimized. Specifically, in the enhanced motor, there are two magnetic fluxes inside the motor that circulate across two different planes: a longitudinal magnetic flux which goes along the direction of the movement and a transversal magnetic flux which is closed through a perpendicular plane with respect to that direction. With this new configuration, the motor achieves a great increment of the thrust force without increasing the electrical supply. In addition, the proposed model creates a new spatial configuration of the eddy currents and an improvement of the main magnetic circuit. These novelties are relevant because they represent a great improvement in the efficiency of the linear induction motor for low velocities at a very low cost. All simulations have been made with the finite elements method--3D, both in standstill conditions and in motion in order to obtain the characteristic curves of the main forces developed by the linear induction motor. Keywords: single sided linear induction motor; transverse magnetic flux; thrust force; levitation force; airgap magnetic flux density; eddy currents