Performance analysis of a tubular linear motor applied in compressors

Tubular actuators with short strokes represent an excellent alternative to pneumatic or hydraulic actuators in different fields of applications, whenever fast response, flexibility, high reliability and safety are required. The purpose of this paper is to determine the dynamic behaviour of tubular linear motor for radial and sinusoidal magnetization of magnets. The 3D finite element magnetodynamic analyses are performed using a magnetic vector potential formulation. The linear displacement is modelled by means of a layer of finite elements placed in the air gap. The analyses allow prediction of the thrust force and the back-emf for all the different basic arrangements due to the magnetization pattern of the magnets.