Application of 3D finite element CAD techniques in the design of current sensitive electromagnetic actuators

Presents a method for evaluating and optimizing the design of an electromagnetic current-sensitive actuator, using a three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) finite-element (FE) package. The study is based on the use of the 3D FE-CAD (TOSCA) software package for the determination of the dynamic performance and the optimization of the actuator design when subjected to sinusoidal current. The analysis enables the relationship of the actuator sensitivity to manufacturing tolerance, sinusoidal current, and a wide range of design and control variables to be examined. The actuator sensitivity is quantified in terms of critical design factors for four practical actuators and a range of air-gap settings. The results of all the studies correlated closely with the results from tests and measurements