Analysis of Flux Linkage and Detent Force for a Modular Tubular Permanent Magnet Synchronous Linear Motor With Large Slots

Conventionally, for a tubular permanent magnet synchronous linear motor (TPMSLM), adopting a modular structure can effectively reduce the detent force; however, the thrust density is sacrificed via the large proportion of the flux barrier to the total primary component volume. To overcome this disadvantage, this paper proposes a novel modular TPMSLM, in which the unit primary component adopts the large slot structure containing several coils. Focusing on this motor, research on the flux linkage characteristic is performed to obtain the design principle, and then the detent force is analyzed and suppressed by reasonable design of end teeth. First, the flux linkage characteristics of the unit motor and the whole motor are investigated. Variation rule of the coil flux linkage affected by the end tooth is discussed, and the principle of realizing three-phase balance for the whole motor flux linkage is elaborated. Moreover, the principle of the detent force suppression is verified and the detent force is further suppressed through the end tooth design. Finally, a prototype is developed. The back electromotive force and the detent force were tested, which verified the effectiveness of the novel modular TPMSLM proposed.