Prediction of Conductor Ratio for Tubular Linear Induction Motors using Finite Element Method and Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

In many countries, the demand for motors has rapidly increased. For equipment automation and energy reduction, motors are efficient machines and play an important role in alleviating the current energy crisis. However, rotary machines have been studied instead of linear machines. Furthermore, tubular linear induction motors (TLIMs) have been developed for use in industry, but the characteristics of these machines have not been analyzed. In this study, using the finite element methodology (FEM), a TLIM was examined using the ratio of conductor thickness and back iron. The design of experiment (DOE) and response surface methodology were used to obtain this result. The TLIM is modeled to obtain thrust force in the steady state. Furthermore, conductor and back iron thickness are efficiently assigned using the DOE. The central composite design introduced in this study is used in various DOE methods. As a result, the conductor and back iron thickness ratio is obtained at an optimum value. This ratio can be used to design the TLIM for low voltages.