Electronic drive system of a linear magnetostrictive motor designed for outer space applications

This paper presents the driving system of a linear magnetostrictive motor (LMM) that operates in a wide range of frequencies of up to 16 kHz, which is intended for space applications. Accordingly, the design and control of the LMM differs from the classical version, causing changes in electrical driving conception. The LMM drive has two units Pulse Width Modulators (PWM) for the control of the activation coil, the magnetic bias coil, and it is also provided with a power supply block. An ensemble of three series, connected Peltier elements is powered by a third PWM modulator with the following features: f = 24 kHz, U = 28 V_PP and duty cycle k_PWM = 30%. The Peltier ensemble provides the cooling of LMM in the absence of terrestrial gravity.