Linear induction motor

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A transverse flux linear induction motor (here the primary is at top of picture) and has two sets of opposite poles side by
side. (Picture from US Patent 3824414 by Eric Laithwaite)

A linear induction motor (LIM) is an AC asynchronous linear motor that works by the same
general principles as other induction motorsbut is very typically designed to directly produce
motion in a straight line. Characteristically, linear induction motors have a finite length primary or
secondary, which generates end-effects, whereas a conventional induction motor is arranged in
an endless loop.
Despite their name, not all linear induction motors produce linear motion; some linear induction
motors are employed for generating rotations of large diameters where the use of a continuous
primary would be very expensive. They also, unlike their rotary counterparts, can give a levitation
effect.
As with rotary motors, linear motors frequently run on a 3 phase power supply and can support
very high speeds. However, there are end-effects which reduce the force, and it's often not
possible to fit a gearbox to trade off force and speed. Linear induction motors are thus frequently
less energy efficient than normal rotary motors for any given required force output.
LIMs are often used where contactless force is required, where low maintenance is desirable, or
where the duty cycle is low. Their practical uses include magnetic levitation, linear propulsion,
and linear actuators. They have also been used for pumping liquid metals. [1]
Contents
[hide]

1 History

2 Construction

3 Principles

4 Forces

4.1 Thrust

4.2 End effect

4.3 Levitation
5 Performance

6 Uses

7 See also

8 References

History[edit]
The history of linear electric motors can be traced back at least as far as the 1840s, to the work
of Charles Wheatstone at King's College in London,[2] but Wheatstone's model was too inefficient
to be practical. A feasible linear induction motor is described in the US patent 782312 ( 1905 inventor Alfred Zehden of Frankfurt-am-Main ), for driving trains or lifts. The German
engineer Hermann Kemper built a working model in 1935.[3] In the late 1940s, professor Eric
Laithwaite of Imperial College in London developed the first full-size working model.

FEMM simulation of a Cross-section of Magnetic River, coloured by electric current density

In a single sided version, the magnetic field can create repulsion forces that push the conductor
away from the stator, levitating it, and carrying it along in the direction of the moving magnetic
field. Laithewaite called the later versions of it magnetic river. These versions of the linear
induction motor use a principle called transverse flux where two opposite poles are placed side
by side. This permits very long poles to be used, which permits high speed and efficiency.[4]

Construction[edit]
A linear electric motor's primary typically consists of a flat magnetic core (generally laminated)
with transverse slots which are often straight cut[5] with coils laid into the slots, with each phase
giving an alternating polarity and so that the different phases physically overlap.
The secondary is frequently a sheet of aluminum, often with an iron backing plate. Some LIMs
are double sided, with one primary either side of the secondary, and in this case no iron backing
is needed.
Two sorts of linear motor exist, short primary, where the coils are truncated shorter than the
secondary, and a short secondary where the conductive plate is smaller. Short secondary LIMs
are often wound as parallel connections between coils of the same phase, whereas short
primaries are usually wound in series.[6]
The primaries of transverse flux LIMs have a series of twin poles lying transversely side-by-side,
with opposite winding directions. These are typically made either with a suitably cut laminated
backing plate or a series of transverse U-cores.

Principles[edit]

The magnetic field of a linear motor sweeping to the left, past an aluminium block. Coloured by induced electric current.

In this design of electric motor, the force is produced by a linearly moving magnetic field acting
on conductors in the field. Any conductor, be it a loop, a coil or simply a piece of plate metal, that
is placed in this field will have eddy currents induced in it thus creating an opposing magnetic
field, in accordance with Lenz's law. The two opposing fields will repel each other, thus creating
motion as the magnetic field sweeps through the metal.
[7]

where,
is supply frequency in Hz, p is the number of poles, and
speed of the magnetic field in revolutions per second.

is the synchronous

The travelling field pattern has a velocity of:

[7]

is velocity of the linear travelling field in m/s, t is the pole pitch.

For a slip of s, the speed of the secondary in a linear motor is given by
[7]

Forces[edit]
Thrust[edit]

Thrust generated as a function of slip

The drive generated by linear induction motors is somewhat similar to conventional

induction motors; the drive forces show a roughly similar characteristic shape
relative to slip, albeit modulated by end effects.[8]

End effect[edit]
Unlike a circular induction motor, a linear induction motor shows 'end effects'. These
end effects include losses in performance and efficiency that are believed to be
caused by magnetic energy being carried away and lost at the end of the primary by
the relative movement of the primary and secondary.
With a short secondary, the behaviour is almost identical to a rotary machine,
provided it is at least two poles long, but with a short primary reduction in thrust
occurs at low slip (below about 0.3) until it is eight poles or longer.[6]

However, because of end effect, linear motors cannot 'run light'- normal induction
motors are able to run the motor with a near synchronous field under low load
conditions. Due to end effect this creates much more significant losses with linear
motors.[6]

Levitation[edit]

Levitation and thrust force curves of a linear motor

In addition, unlike a rotary motor, an electrodynamic levitation force is shown, this is

zero at zero slip, and gives a roughly constant amount of force/gap as slip increases
in either direction. This occurs in single sided motors, and levitation will not usually
occur when an iron backing plate is used on the secondary, since this causes an
attraction that overwhelms the lifting force.[8]

Performance[edit]
Linear induction motors are often less efficient than conventional rotary induction
motors; the end effects and the relatively large air gap that is often present will
typically reduce the forces produced for the same electrical power. However, linear
induction motors can avoid the need for gearboxes and similar drivetrains, and these
have their own losses; and in any case power use is not always the most important
consideration. For example, in many cases linear induction motors have far fewer
moving parts, and have very low maintenance.

Uses[edit]

LIMTV Linear Induction Motor Test Vehicle in 1973

Because of these properties, linear motors are often used in maglev propulsion, as
in the Japanese Linimo magnetic levitation train line near Nagoya.

The Birmingham International Maglev shuttle

The world's first commercial automated maglev system was a low-speed maglev
shuttle that ran from the airport terminal of Birmingham International Airport to the
nearby Birmingham International railway station between 19841995.[9] The length of
the track was 600 metres (2,000 ft), and trains "flew" at an altitude of 15 millimetres
(0.59 in), levitated by electromagnets, and propelled with linear induction motors. [10] It
was in operation for nearly eleven years, but obsolescence problems with the
electronic systems made it unreliable in its later years. One of the original cars is
now on display at Railworld in Peterborough, together with the RTV31 hover train
vehicle.
However, linear motors have been used independently of magnetic levitation, as
in Bombardier's Advanced Rapid Transit systems worldwide and a number of
modern Japanese subways, including Tokyo's Toei Oedo Line.
Linear induction motor technology is also used in some roller coasters. At present it
is still impractical on street running trams, although this, in theory, could be done by
burying it in a slotted conduit.

ART trains propel themselves using an aluminium induction strip placed between the rails.

Outside of public transportation, vertical linear motors have been proposed as lifting
mechanisms in deep mines, and the use of linear motors is growing in motion
controlapplications. They are also often used on sliding doors, such as those of low
floor trams such as the Citadis and the Eurotram. Dual axis linear motors also exist.
These specialized devices have been used to provide direct X-Y motion for precision
laser cutting of cloth and sheet metal, automated drafting, and cable forming. Most
linear motors in use are LIM (linear induction motors) or LSM (linear synchronous
motors). Linear DC motors are not used as it includes more cost and
linear SRM suffers from poor thrust. So for long run in traction LIM is mostly
preferred and for short run LSM is mostly preferred.

A diagram of EMALS' induction motor

Linear induction motors have also been used for launching aircraft, the
Westinghouse Electropult[6] system in 1945 was an early example and
the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) was due to be delivered in
2010.

Linear induction motors are also used in looms, magnetic levitation permit allows
bobbins to float between the fibers without direct contact.