Doubled-sided FRLSM for long-stroke safety-critical applications

Permanent-magnet linear synchronous motors (PMLSMs) are increasingly preferred in the industry wherever linear motion is required because of their high reliability and excellent dynamic characteristics. In this paper, a modified double-sided design of a linear motor for long-stroke applications is introduced. The proposed motor utilizes a flux-reversal topology and hence requires lesser number of permanent magnets (PMs) for operation than PMLSMs with magnet tracks. Comparison is made with conventional single-sided flux-reversal motor configuration, which shows 33% increase in thrust producing capability in the proposed design without an increase in excitation sources. Additionally, mover weight is reduced significantly, which can improve the dynamic characteristics of the motor. A five-phase 5-slot/11-pole flux reversal motor based on the double-sided topology is introduced for use in safety-critical applications. The proposed five-phase motor has low detent force and improved thrust density.