Equivalent Circuits for Single-Sided Linear Induction Motors

Single-sided linear induction motors (SLIMs) have lately been applied in transportation system traction drives, particularly in the intermediate speed range. This is because they have merits, such as the ability to exert thrust on the secondary without mechanical contact, high acceleration or deceleration, less wheel wear, small turning circle radius, and flexible road line. The theory of operation for these machines can be directly derived from rotary induction motors (RIMs). However, while the cut-open primary magnetic circuit has many inherent characteristics of the RIM equivalent circuits, several issues involving the transversal edge and longitudinal end effects and the half-filled slots at the primary ends need to be investigated. In this paper, a T-model equivalent circuit is proposed which is based on the 1-D magnetic equations of the air gap, where half-filled slots are considered by an equivalent pole number. Among the main five parameters, namely, the primary resistance, primary leakage inductance, mutual inductance, secondary resistance, and secondary inductance, the mutual inductance and the secondary resistance are influenced by the edge and end effects greatly, which can be revised by four relative coefficients, i.e., K_r, K_x, C_r, and C_x. Moreover, two-axis equivalent circuits (dq or αβ) according to the T-model equivalent circuit are obtained using the power conversion rule, which are analogous with those of the RIM in a two-axis coordinate system. The linear induction motor dynamic performance, particularly the mutual inductance and the secondary resistance, can be analyzed by the four coefficients. Experimental verification indicates that both the T-model and the new two-axis circuits are reasonable for describing the steady and dynamic performance of the SLIM. These two models can provide good guidance for the electromagnetic design and control scheme imp- - lementation for SLIM applications.