Application of linear switched reluctance motors to precision position control

This paper presents the application of linear switched reluctance motors (LSRMs) to precision position control. In general, a typical AC industrial servo system consists of a motion controller for torque, velocity and position loop control, a current tracking amplifier with a standard three-phase output bridge and two current feedback sensors only, the motor to be controlled and a position feedback encoder. An LSRM is developed for the above typical AC servo system without any modifications on the hardware setup. The magnet-free and possible high-temperature operation features allow LSRMs to replace linear permanent magnet (PM) motors in some special applications such as conveyor systems in an oven. On the other hand, the micrometer precision position control of LSRMs addressed in this paper is also new to literature.