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Development of Tubular Linear Induction Motor

1Balram Meena; 2Arti Koli; 3Pawan Verma; 4XaXa Lovesh; 5R K Srivastava SM-IEEE
Department of Electrical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology (BHU)
Varanasi, India
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]
1,2,3 M.Tech. Students in EE, 2 Corresponding author 4 Ph.D. Scholar in EE, 5 Prof in Electrical Engineering

Abstract— This paper presents the theoretical and experimental all these cases, the rise in temperature is expected to be large
investigations of prototype tubular linear induction motors and when used in energy applications.
possible topological changes in it. Fourier transforms technique
applicable to Linear Motor and Maxwell FEM software have
been used for validating the measured thrust of the developed
TLIM & DSTLIM.

Keywords— Tubular Linear Induction Motor, FEM, Fourier

Transform Model, DSLIM, TLIM, DSTLIM

I. INTRODUCTION
Linear motors are widely used for linear drive applications.
Short stroke and long stroke tubular motors find their specific
use in factory automation, robotic applications and
electromagnetic pump etc. These motors also find their use as
energy machines for electromagnetic propulsion of mass. In Fig 1. Developed Tubular Linear Induction Motor.
later case, the initial thrust to propel the mass. Recent
development of tubular motor focuses on the PM type or flux
reversal type tubular motor. In comparison to Tubular Linear It is hereby, proposed to develop tubular motor having several
Induction Motor (TLIM), these motors are expected to have Double Sided Linear Induction Motors (DSLIM) blocks for
high power to weight ratio. The topological changes in Linear acquiring large thrust for energy applications.
Induction motor [1-3] result in tubular induction motor,
electromagnetic levitator and other types of motors. Tubular TABLE 1. Design details of TLIM
motors have been reported for application, e.g., factory
automation [3], liquid metal pumps [4], Robotic applications ITEM VALUES ITEM VALUES
[5], house hold applications [6], power generation [7], servo Length(mm) 195 No. Of core 4
applications [8, 9], drilling application [10] and active pedal No. Of coils 6 Slot width 15
[11] etc.
No. Of open slots 6 Slot Teeth 15
Turns per coil 280 Slot depth 30
II. TOPOLOGICAL CHANGES IN TLIM Current(amp) 10 Frequency(Hz) 20-150
The developed 6 slot inner composite mover TLIM has been Ave. Mover ID
24 Core depth (mm) 50
(mm)
shown in Fig. 1. The design details have been given in Table Aluminium
1. The mover consists of iron rod with aluminum or copper Composite OD/ID, 14.68, Inner Radius of
20
sleeve. The topological changes in tubular motors allow the mm 12.2 TLIM, mm
inner rotor construction [5, 8-9, 12], outer rotor construction
[13] as well as double sided construction for special
applications [14]. Other changes includes multiphase [9], A typical tubular arrangement of Double Sided Tubular Linear
bendable [15], slot less [16] and flux switching [17] etc. Large Induction Motor (DSTLIM) consisting of several DSLIM
thrust demand for energy application has been reportedly met blocks has been shown in Fig. 2. The movers are supported by
using tubular motor having dual stator sandwiching the hollow linear bearings for smooth movements. Design details of
tubular rotor [14]. The demand for high thrust can also be met developed DSLIM blocks are given in Table 2.
by using both inner and outer mover tubular configurations. In
Several blocks of DSLIM can be arranged in a tubular form as

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shown in Fig. 2. In the developed DSLIM block, slot by slot TABLE 2. Design details of DSLIM block for DSTLIM
winding has been done for easy changeability. The winding of
ITEM VALUES ITEM VALUES
each block can be connected in series or parallel with star Core per block 2 Poles 4
connection. Length of Each core , 32 Clear. Mover & 7.5
cm core, mm
Core height ,cm 8 Core Width, cm 2.5
Slot width , mm 20 Slot Teeth ,mm 6
Slot Depth, mm 32 SWG wire 16
Type of slots Open Slots / core 12
Phase Star Turns /coil 50
Mover thickness, mm 3 Mover size sq cm 16X16
16x32
16x48

III. RESULTS
The developed TLIM has been analyzed using Fourier
transform model [18] applicable to an equivalent SLIM. For
Fig 2. DSLIM blocks arranged in tubular form.
testing, variable frequency was obtained using 18.5 KW three
phase ABB VFD. In case of linear induction motor, the Force
The developed DSLIM block has been shown in Fig. 3, versus speed characteristics and Standstill Force versus slip
resulting in larger tubular construction as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. frequency characteristics are almost identical with certain
3(a) & (b) depict the proposed stators of one block of the tolerance. Fig. 4 depicts the constant current (10A) normalized
proposed DSTLIM, one of the block having two DSLIM, one values measured and computed force of developed TLIM at
upper guide way, mover and lower guide way respectively. different supply frequencies. The computed forces are on
higher side because of assumptions made.

Fig 3(a). Stator core of one block of DSTLIM

Fig 4. Comparison of measured and computed (Fourier Transform) static force
at constant current (10A) variable frequencies for aluminum composite mover.

The DSTLIM has been tested at variable frequency and

analyzed using DSLIM Fourier transform [18] model and
FEM software. The Maxwell FEM program has been used to
compute fields and forces. Here plain conducting secondary
has been used for evaluation purpose. Using test set-up,
performance evaluations of composite, ladder or squirrel cage
secondary are possible. The normal forces are expected to be
large due to possibility of uneven air clearance. In order to
mitigate the effect of normal force and cooling requirements
the interference between the stators of DSLIM has been kept
larger. When mover is away from the active winding and in a
position to enter into active zone, the thrust is expected to be
less. This is applicable for both the ends. For long secondary
case the forces are expected to be high. A shorter secondary is
Fig 3(b). Developed Arrangement of one block of proposed DSTLIM having expected to yield a proportionately less force production. This
single plate mover. (One of upper guide way not shown for clarity)
has been analyzed in paper [19]. As a rough approximation,

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here it is assumed that shorter secondary yield a force which is due to increased excitation. Series connections of windings
proportion ratio of length of secondary to length of core. In are expected to give better results on per ampere basis.
Fig. 5 the Maxwell FEM analysis shows a typical flux
distribution in DSLIM block.

Fig 7. Comparison of Tested, Computed (Fourier Transform)

Fig 5. Typical Flux lines in DSLIM.
and FEM results of DSLIM at different frequencies and current
for series connected windings, for pole.
The windings of each stators of DSLIM block may be
connected in series or parallel. Fig 6 shows Measured
Starting Thrust of DSLIM versus phase current for ACKNOWLEDGMENT
different sizes of movers in series parallel winding The authors are thankful to the department of Electrical
connections at 50 Hz. Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu
University) Varanasi (India) for providing necessary materials
and workshop facility for developing the prototype and
computing facilities.
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