3-D finite element analysis of a linear induction motor

This paper presents the thrust characteristics analysis of linear induction motors (LIMs) using the 3-D finite element method (3-D FEM) with edge elements taking into account eddy currents. LIMs have advantages of simple structure, easy maintenance, less environmental pollution and so on. Therefore, they are widely used for high speed transport systems in clean rooms and hospitals. However, it is difficult to analyze the thrust characteristics of LIMs numerically because of the three dimensional shape. In this paper, we calculate the thrust of a LIM using the 3-D FEM. It is clarified that the validity of the 3-D FEM by comparison of the calculated and measured results