Optimization of the Force Density for Medium-Stroke Reluctance Actuators

This paper concerns the force density optimization for medium-stroke reluctance actuators applied in antivibration applications. The force density in a conventional E-core reluctance actuator is limited for medium strokes by the nonlinear force-displacement characteristic. In this paper, different tooth topologies are analyzed to maximize the force density along the stroke using the finite-element analysis. Teeth parameters are tuned in each topology to analyze the influences on the force density over a stroke of ±12.5 mm. An analytic thermal model is used to estimate the surface temperature and is verified with finite-element simulations. The optimal topology is validated by experiments on a prototype.