Using Third Harmonic for Shape Optimization of Flux Density Distribution in Linear Permanent-Magnet Machine

Abstract

This paper presents a sinusoidal permanent magnet (PM) shaping technique with third harmonic to improve the electromagnetic thrust force in linear slotless PM machines without sacrificing the thrust force ripple. Slotless PM linear machine possesses relatively low thrust force ripple due to the absence of cogging force, compared with slotted topology. However, thrust force ripple of the machine with rectangular PM shape still exists due to nonsinusoidal airgap flux density distribution produced by PMs. Sinusoidal shaping techniques can be used to reduce the thrust force ripple but the average thrust force is reduced as well. Therefore, a simple PM shaping technique with optimal 3rd harmonic is presented to improve the output thrust force but not to increase the thrust force ripple. The sinusoidal plus 3rd harmonic shaping technique is analytically demonstrated together conventional sinusoidal shaping method and verified with finite element method. The results show that the electromagnetic performance can be significantly improved.