EEE 471

Linear Induction Motor (LIM)

Dr. A Hasib Chowdhury
Dept. of EEE, BUET
September 2014

Linear Induction Motor (LIM)

A magnet moves at velocity V
over a conducting plate
Flux ahead of the magnet
increases with time
Induced current, i d/dt, flows
ccw in loop ahead
Flux behind the magnet
decreases with time
Induced current, i d/dt, flows
cw in loop behind

Linear Induction Motor (LIM)

Under the middle of the magnet
currents come out to the left
Here the magnetic field is the
strongest and is downward
Electric current passing across
magnetic field lines produces a
force perpendicular to both
In figure, force on the plate is to
the right
If the conducting plate is resting on
an extremely low friction surface, it
will be dragged along with the
magnet

Linear Induction Motor (LIM)

Take a squirrel cage induction
motor
Open it out flat...
Smooth the rotor bars into a
conductor sheet...
Apply AC power and you have
a LIM
With two stators the reaction
plate may be removed

LIM advantages
No gears or chains, no lubrication necessary
Fewer moving parts, reduced maintenance
Silent operation, compact size, ease of control and
installation
Easy stopping, starting, reversing
High acceleration and braking force, fast response
Speed is not dependant on contact friction
Long term operating costs are reduced

Typical application of LIM

Sliding doors
Conveying systems, baggage handling
Sheet metal movement, extrusion pullers
Flexible manufacturing systems, linear accelerators
Automated warehousing,
Robotic systems
Automated postal systems
Stage / curtain movement
Theme park rides, personal rapid transport systems

Pictures of LIM

Other Linear Motors

Platen Type Linear

Motor Linear stepper motor

Linear induction motor

U shaped Linear Brushless Motor

Tubular linear motor

High Acceleration LIM

High-acceleration LIMs suggested for a number of uses
Weapons since current armor-piercing ammunition tends to be
small rounds with very high kinetic energy, just what such motors
supply
Spacecraft propulsion In this context they are usually called
mass drivers. The simplest way to use mass drivers for spacecraft
propulsion would be to build a large mass driver that can accelerate
cargo up to escape velocity
High-acceleration linear motors difficult to design
Require large amounts of energy in very short periods of time
One rocket launcher design calls for 300 GJ in less than a second for
each launch
Normal generators not designed for this kind of load short-term
electrical energy storage methods can be used Capacitors are
bulky and expensive but can supply large amounts of energy quickly
Homopolar generators can be used to rapidly convert the kinetic
energy of a flywheel into electric energy

High Acceleration LIM contd.

High-acceleration LIMs also require very strong magnetic
fields; in fact, magnetic fields are often too strong to
permit use of superconductors
Two different basic designs have been invented for highacceleration linear motors
Railgun
Coilgun