Modelling and Measurement of a Moving Magnet Linear Motor for Linear Compressor

Xinwen Chen, Hanying Jiang, Zhaohua Li and Kun Liang
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Xinwen Chen: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
Hanying Jiang: Department of Engineering and Design, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QT, UK
Zhaohua Li: Department of Engineering and Design, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QT, UK
Kun Liang: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 15, 1-12

Abstract: For the purpose of efficiency improvement, a linear motor that performs a linear reciprocating motion can be employed to directly drive the piston in a reciprocating refrigeration compressor without crankshaft mechanism. This also facilitates the modulation of cooling capacity as the stroke and frequency can be readily varied in response to heat load. A novel design of moving magnet linear motor for linear compressor was analyzed in the paper. A finite element analysis (FEA) model was built to simulate the characteristics of the linear motor. Current and displacement signals were measured from a test rig and were defined in the transient FEA model. Transient motor force was simulated with the FEA model and good agreements are shown between the results from the FEA model and interpolated shaft force from static force measurements. Major Losses, such as copper loss and core loss were also computed. Motor efficiency decreased from 0.88 to 0.83 as stroke increased from 9 mm to 12 mm, while the pressure ratio remained unchanged. Comparisons were made between the present moving magnet linear motor and moving coil linear motors. Generally, the moving magnet linear motor demonstrates higher efficiency than moving coil motors, which have significantly higher copper loss. The present moving magnet design with simple structure could be further optimized to improve motor efficiency.

Keywords: linear motor; moving magnet; FEA; motor loss; motor efficiency; moving coil (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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