Performance comparison of tubular linear induction motors with different primary winding connections

This paper presents an experimental characterization and comparison of the performances achieved by a tubular linear induction motor (TLIM) prototype with different typologies of primary winding connections. In particular, three configurations are described: full-pitch star, 5/6 shortened pitch star and 5/6 shortened pitch double star. For this purpose, an experimental test bench at the SDESLAB laboratory (University of Palermo) has been set-up and the results obtained from the tests have allowed to identify which type of winding configuration can be chosen in dependence of the type of application intended for the motor. In addition, this experimental study is suitable for TLIM winding designs if compared with classic analytical approach. As a matter of fact, more accurate results are obtained, avoiding the use of coefficients of approximations.