Optimization of linear flux switching permanent magnet motor

Linear planar flux-switching permanent magnet (FSPM) brushless machines have significant potential for transportation application. A 6-slot/5-pole linear FSPM motor is optimized in this paper for maximum thrust force at a fixed copper loss and also for minimum cogging force by finite element (FE) analysis. The influence of major design parameters, such as the split ratio between the mover and stator, the stator pole width, the stator pole height, the mover back-iron thickness and the mover tooth width, on the thrust force, when the copper loss is fixed, is firstly investigated by individual parameter optimization. The results are then compared to a global optimization of thrust force obtained by genetic algorithm. It is shown that their differences are very small and hence the individual parameter optimization may be employed in optimizing such linear FSPM motor. Finally, the peak-to-peak value of the cogging force is reduced by ~40% via optimizing the slot opening and width associated with the end teeth.