Comparison of Radial and Halbach Array PMLSM by Employing 2-D Electromagnetic Finite Element Analysis

The replacement of steam catapults with electromagnetic ones is becoming an overwhelming trend in aircraft launch systems. The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) offers significant benefits to the aircraft, ship, personnel, and operational capabilities. EMALS has many advantages such as high thrust, good controllability, etc. As a launching motor, a double-sided plate Permanent Magnet Linear Synchronous Motor (PMLSM) can provide high instantaneous thrust. This paper compares two PM mover with quasi-Halbach array topology and radial topology for PMLSM application. A detailed analytical modeling based on Maxwell equations is presented for analysis and design of PMLSM with Halbach array. Finally, 2-D non-linear time-stepping transient finite element method is employed to demonstrate validity of the theoretical analysis and parametric search. Using FEA, the effects of the parameters on the thrust amplitude are analyzed. Finally, A design optimization method is applied to PMLSM with Halbach array. The obtained results form 2-D FEM show the increase of thrust force and flux density distribution in the air gap.