Assessment of Linear Switched Reluctance Motor's Design Parameters for Optimal Performance

Abstract

This article presents an exhaustive study about the influence of some design parameters, such as the number of phases, pole stroke, and current density, in the behavior of a linear switched reluctance motor. The linear switched reluctance motor's performance is assessed, taking into account a set of quality indices, which are the energy conversion loop quality factor, propulsion force per unit of primary steel volume, per unit of copper mass, per unit of air-gap surface, and force ripple factor. The study is carried out by means of two-dimensional finite-element analysis. Finally, the results are discussed, and as a consequence, a set of linear switched reluctance motor configurations with optimal performance according to the quality indices is defined.