Free Piston Tubular Permanent-Magnet Linear
Generator Based on Electromagnetic Field Analysis
Fengliang Bao, Xingqiao Liu , Jianqun Hu ,Hui Han , Yang Liu, Li Cheng
School of Electrical and InformationEngineering
Jiangsu University
Zhenjiang, China
xqliu@ujs.edu.cn
Abstract—Based on the structural characteristics of free piston
tubular permanent-magnet synchronous linear generator, it
established its two-dimensional physical model in the cylindrical
coordinate system of ansoft and had the finite element mesh
generation, then the distribution of magnetic field of no-load and
load was analyzed separately. The magnetic field distribution of
no-load exploited static magnetic field analysis of ansoft. The
results can be directly used graphics to draw a graph of magnetic
lines, a graph of magnetic flux density distribution, a graph of B
distribution of air-gap magnetic field, a graph of traveling-wave
magnetic field distribution produced by permanent magnets. In
the load, due to that the three-phase symmetrical current was
generated in the primary windings, there was armature reaction
magnetic field. So the transient magnetic field analysis was used.
Under this analysis, the parameters including the flux, normal
force and tangential force of magnets curves with time can be
clearly seen. Through the above analysis, the no-load
characteristics and the load performance of the generator are
recognized deeply.
Keywords-Tubular Linear Generator; Permanent-magnet
Synchronous Generator; EMF; ansoft
I. INTRODUCTION
Linear generator is a kind of transmission device[1], which
can directly convert mechanical energy of linear motion into
energy. In this process, there is no need for any intermediate
conversion body. Permanent-magnet synchronous linear
generator as a kind of linear generator has a great advantage[2]
in the reliability and efficiency because of its permanent
magnetic materials, and is favored gradually. Permanent-
magnet synchronous linear generator can be divided into flat-
panel type, tubular or disc and other forms. The flat-panel type
develops relatively early and is widely used in all respects, but
its longitudinal and transverse edge effect can affect the
stationarity of the output thrust. The flat-type permanent-
magnet synchronous linear generator can be rolled into the
tubular type along the perpendicular direction to linear motion,
and then constitute the tubular permanent-magnet synchronous
linear generator. Compared with the flat-type, the tube-type
structure of tubular permanent-magnet synchronous linear
generator has no winding top, so the transverse edge effect
does not exist and it can largely improve the performance of
the generator.
Linear motors play an important role in the free piston
engine. Its major function is to convert the part kinetic energy
This work is partially supported by nature fund (BK2008228) Jiangsu
978-1-4244-7739-5/10/$26.00 ©2010 IEEE
of rotor into energy, in turn, the output power also controls the
movement of rotor and plays the role of stabilizing
combustion process. Therefore, the magnetic field analysis of
linear electric generator is very important. Based on
recognizing the structure of the generator, the two-
dimensional physical model of free piston tubular permanent-
magnet synchronous linear generator was established in the
cylindrical coordinate system. And the analysis of magnetic
field distribution of no-load and load was focused.
II. PHYSICAL MODEL
Examine the performance of a generator, not only to
examine its materials, manufacturing processes, but also to
consider the structure of its magnetic circuit. Magnetic circuit
structure design is reasonable or not that plays a very
important role in the performance of the generator. Therefore,
magnetic field analysis has become an important direction.
In this paper, the finite element software ansoft was used
[3]
. It includes the electric field, steady-state magnetic field,
AC magnetic field, transient electromagnetic field, loss
calculation and thermal analysis module, whose core is
optimized for the three-dimensional electromagnetic field
analysis of the finite element technique. It has a precision-
driven adaptive mesh subdivision techniques and powerful
post-processor, which is the powerful electromagnetic field
simulation software. Many parameters such as force, torque,
inductance, energy storage can be automatic calculated
automatically, simultaneously post-processor can also provide
the magnetic field lines of the entire phase, B and H
distribution maps, energy density and temperature distribution.
Tubular permanent-magnet synchronous linear generator is
one kind of axial symmetry structure [4] Surface of stator and
rotor is the smooth column surface, which is uniform
distribution along the axial direction. In the study of
electromagnetic field tangential distribution of the generator
can be cut, but only consider thedistribution along the axis, so
the three-dimensional linear generator problem translates into a
typical two-dimensional one and the analysis is greatly
simplified at the same time. Therefore any axis plane can be
selected as a research object. And half plane is only taken due
to the symmetry axis on both sides. The two-dimensional
structure model of tubular permanent-magnet synchronous
linear generator in ansoft software is shown in Figure 1. This
paper is based on long-secondary, short primary tubular
permanent-magnet synchronous linear generator as the research
 object and the movement part is secondary.
Figure 1. Two-dimensional structural model of tubular permanent-magnet
synchronous linear generator
The primary of generator is hollow-type, non-core
armature windings, while the secondary is axial magnetic
circuit structure. The permanent magnet is axial
magnetization, followed the opposite polarity one by one. The
bakelite separates the neighboring permanent magnet. The
secondary of motor moves along the x-axis, that is permanent
magnets move along the x-axis. The parameters of generator
in the static state are key indicators of stable operation of
generator. And the structural parameters of the analysis model
are such as shown in Table 1.
TABLE I. STRUCTURAL PARAMETERS OF PERMANENT-
MAGNET SYNCHRONOUS LINERA GENERATOR
Symbol Quantity Specifications
´0 winding width 17
´1 primary pole pitch 51
´ VHFRQGDU\pole pitch 51
´P 3HUPDQHQWPDJQHWZLGWK 25
p 4
SROHV
m SKDVH 3
From the structural parameters of the analysis model,
primary pole pitch is equal to secondary pole pitch. When the
secondary is for axial straight reciprocating motion, the three-
phase alternating current is produced in the primary winding.
Alternating current will produce the axial transverse magnetic
field in the air gap. When permanent magnets work, it will
produce sinusoidal alternating current. In this process, piston
moves back and forth in the terms of sinusoidal at the same
time.
III. NO-LOAD MAGNETIC FIELD ANALYSIS OF
TUBULAR PERMANENT-MAGNET SYNCHRONOUS
LINEAR GENERATOR
Linear generator and rotating machine have something in
common with each other. When the three-phase symmetrical
AC current is produced in the primary winding of linear
generator, it will generate the magnetic field similar to rotating
magnetic field in the air gap, named transverse magnetic field
along the linear motion. However, the linear generator and
rotating machine also have differences. The primary winding
and iron core of linear generator are breaking, and therefore
unique edge effect will exist [5]. The first longitudinal edge
effect is mainly due to the finite primary length. The impact
which is produced by the first longitudinal edge effect is that
air-gap magnetic field contains the positive transverse magnetic
field, as well as alternating pulsating magnetic field. Owing to
secondary entering and leaving the primary zone, distortion of
the magnetic field occurs. So the second longitudinal edge
effect is produced, causing additional wear and tear, reducing
generator performance. As the unique edge effect of the linear
generator, the analysis of linear generator is more complex than
the rotating machine.
A. Analysis of No-load Flux Density
The permanent magnet works alone, which yields the no-
load magnetic field. As the three-phase symmetrical current is
not produced in the primary winding of linear generator, no-
load magnetic field only need to choose static magnetic field
analysis without need for transient field analysis. The two-
dimensional model of tubular permanent-magnet synchronous
linear generator should be drawn in the 2D Modeler and the
various material attributes needed to the input to the Material
Setup Window of ansoft. Immediately the border of tubular
permanent-magnet synchronous linear generator was set to
balloon border [6]. And then finite element adaptive mesh was
used to split Figure 1. Results of mesh generation are shown in
Figure 2. As can be seen from Figure 2, the densest part of the
subdivision is air gap.





Figure 2. Results of mesh generation of tubular permanent-magnet
synchronous linear generator
After the solver solved two-dimensional model of
generator, the magnetic field lines and the magnetic flux
density distribution could be drawn out, using the finite
element post-processing features. The following diagram 3
shall be the distribution of magnetic flux density map.





Figure 3. Magnetic flux density distribution map of tubular permanent-
magnet synchronous linear generator
 In addition to observe the air-gap flux density, it also can magnetic field are stable markets under conditions of constant
get flux density value of an arbitrary region in field area. temperature. The premise is that materials and magnetic
circuit structures of motor have been determined.
B. Analysis of the Distribution of No-load Magnetic Field
Lines IV. LODE MAGNETIC FIELD ANALYSIS OF
The distribution of no-load magnetic field lines can also be TUBULAR PERMANENT-MAGNET SYNCHRONOUS
obtained from the finite element post-processing graphics, as LINEAR GENERATOR
shown in Figure 4. It shows the distribution of magnetic field In load, due to three-phase symmetrical current is
lines is symmetrical. The magnetic field is strongest, which generated in the primary winding, armature reaction magnetic
lies in both sides of the same permanent magnet polarity. field appears [7], which is produced by the primary winding
Simultaneously magnetic field lines are densest. On the current alone in the motor magnetic circuit without permanent
contrary, the magnetic field on both sides produced by the magnets. And the distribution and intensity of armature
opposite polarity permanent magnet is weakest and the reaction magnetic field are associated with the location of
magnetic field lines is most sparse. Phenomenon is consistent secondary rotor and primary winding current. At this point air-
with the theory of the axially magnetized permanent magnet gap magnetic field is produced by secondary permanent
and N, S polar opposite in order of priority. The distribution of magnets and primary winding current together. As the no-load
air-gap magnetic field B can also be seen, as shown in Figure analysis of the above is based on the theory that air-gap flux
5. density is yielded by permanent magnets alone, so the load
analysis on the basis of the preceding can just analyze the
magnetic field generated by the coil current. For the analysis
of the load magnetic field, it is more accurate to observe the
magnetic field changing with time to adopt transient analysis.
The biggest difference between transient analysis and the front
static magnetic field analysis is that the permanent magnets in
generator are surrounded by band. As long as the set band is
Figure 4 The distribution of no-load magnetic field lines of tubular set in motion setup, then the magnets will be along the x-axis
permanent-magnet synchronous linear generator
movement, and it is available to observe the curve of transient
current and magnetic chains with time in permanent magnets.

A. Analysis of Load Flux
 When the three-phase symmetrical current is generated in
the primary winding, it produces load flux linkage waveform.
 It is shown in Figure 8, and Figure 7 exhibits the waveform of
 the three-phase symmetrical current. From Figure 7 and Figure
8 it can be seen that magnetic flux links has a relationship with
 the current establishing flux.
Figure 5 The distribution of air-gap magnetic field B of tubular permanent-
magnet synchronous linear generator

In accordance with the same methodˈit was available to

get the distribution of B of permanent magnets. It is shown in
Figure 6. As can be seen from Figure 6, transverse magnetic
field is generated in permanent magnets, which is sinusoidal
waveform. And it matches with the basic working principle of
tubular permanent-magnet synchronous linear generator. Figure 7 The waveform of three-phase symmetrical current

 Figure 8 Flux waveform with time

Figure 6 Distribution of B in the permanent magnet B. Analysis of Force

Through the above analysis of no-load magnetic field, we There are two forces in the tubular permanent-magnet
can come to a conclusion that permanent magnet flux and air synchronous linear generator. The former is tangential force,
gap flux are fixed values, the distribution and intensity of the the latter is normal force. Normal force can be attractive or
repulsive force. Even if magnetic coils symmetry with the
armature, normal force always exists. Tangential force is
generated by mechanical asymmetry caused by wind or other
causes. The model suffers tangential force as shown in Figure
9 and normal force as shown in Figure 10.
simulation by ansoft. The simulation includes the analysis of
no-load and load magnetic field. Combined with the specific
situation, it can obtain the magnetic field produced by
permanent magnets alone and yielded by primary windings
alone. According to the simulation results, we can draw the
conclusion that the electromagnetic field inside the free piston
tubular permanent-magnet synchronous linear generator is the
superposition of the above two parts in substance. In this
paper, the analysis of electromagnetic fields of free piston
tubular permanent-magnet synchronous linear generator is
basic research about the motor. And relevant theory and
performance analysis need to be further studied.

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