Modeling and control of a rotary-linear drive using a novel isotropic brushless machine

Rotary-linear motors, able to provide both force and torque along the same axis, represent an interesting solution for managing combined linear and rotary motions along the same direction, as alternative to the usual employ of 2 separated normal motors. Anyway, rotary-linear machines are often either relatively expensive to manufacture or rather complicated to control. A novel type of brushless permanent magnet synchronous rotary-linear motor, designed to overcome the above problems, was recently proposed. Its structure and theoretical analytic model, as well as its FEM detailed modeling, are reported in companion papers. In this paper the simulation modeling of a complete drive using such machine and basing on its theoretical model is presented, also reporting some simulation results confirming the theoretical expectations. A mode retailed mid-level simulation model of the machine based on the equivalent magnetic circuit approach is then described, permitting to estimate the effects of the main non-ideal aspects of the machine structure. Some simulation results provided by the model are finally reported and commented.