Lecture

Linear Induction Machines (LIMs)

Part-3

Effects in LIM:
1)-The LIM machine has an open-end air gap, and either the secondary or
the primary part of the linear machine has to be shorter than the other part.
During the continuous action (operation); the lines of traveling magnetic flux
cannot join upon themselves. This introduces longitudinal end effects that occur at
the two ends of the machine and can have a significant effect on its performance
as the efficiency and power factor.

When the primary/moving part of a LIM does not move, there is no

difference in the equivalent circuit of LIM from the circuit of the rotary induction
motor, since the contribution of the end effects will be relatively small and can be
neglected. However, if the primary of LIM moves, a new field penetrates into the
reaction plate in the entry area, whereas the existing field outs from the reaction
plate at the exit area, which creates the end effect in the reaction plate. The eddy
current in the entry grows very rapidly to mirror the primary current,
nullifying/canceling the gap flux and reducing it to nearly zero at the entry area.
At the same time, the eddy current generates dragging/deceleration force at the
exit area, which produces a non-uniform distribution of the flux along the
traveling length of the motor and increases with the increase in speed. Where the
conventional thrust is equal to the end effect force and the ideal thrust.

Dr. Heba Mahmoud Soufi 18-11-2021

 Can be reduces this effect by increase number of LIMs; if two or more LIMs
are used and operated in identical conditions, and if they are placed in line and
the distance between every two motors is short, the exit-end air-gap magnetic field
of the front motor can extend into the entry-end zone of the next motor, which
leads to the increase of the magnetic flux density in the entry-end zone.
Consequently, the motors air-gap magnetic flux is continuous with approximately
constant amplitude, as shown in figure.

Dr. Heba Mahmoud Soufi 18-11-2021

 2)-The current paths perpendicular to the direction of motion, contribute to
the production of the thrust. But the current paths along the direction of motion
(corresponds to the “end-ring” zone in rotary IMs) contribute towards losses and
reduce the thrust. This introduces the edge effect. This phenomenon is absent in
ladder type of secondary SLIM.

This effect may increase the secondary equivalent resistivity and it produces
a non-uniform flux density distribution along the transversal length of the motor.

3)-The classical rotary machine has a very small air gap, in the order of 2
mm or less, this allows a high gap flux density. For LIM, the air gap can be as
large as 5 cm for the traction system; this allows a higher magnetic reluctance and
also a higher magnetizing current. It results in increases in the leakage flux and

Dr. Heba Mahmoud Soufi 18-11-2021

reduces the power factor. The gap flux density in LIM is smaller than for classical
rotary machines, this allows increasing in iron losses and then reduces the
efficiency. This introduces the gap effect. This effect causes a reduction of the
attraction force with a large gap as in the following figure:

4)-The secondary leakage inductance as a result of skin effect (due to secondary

iron eddy current density along iron depth) may be neglected for DLIMs but not
for SLIMs. (Subject to study)

Types of LIM according to the secondary:

1)-Conducting plate/sheet on the solid iron used for SSLIM configuration.

2)-Conducting plate only used for DSLIM configuration.

Dr. Heba Mahmoud Soufi 18-11-2021

3)-Ladder-type is most commonly used for DSLIM configurations. The power
factor and efficiency in this type is larger than the sheet type. The attraction force
in this type is larger than the sheet type, but the repulsion force in this type is
smaller than the sheet type. The cost of this type is larger than the sheet type. The
ladder secondary allows for a lower magnetic air gap (in transportation) than the
sheet type.

Low-speed SLIMs with ladder secondary have been proposed/used for short-length
travel applications with thrusts up to a few kN.

4)-Disc-type used for DSLIM configurations. It produces the circular motion.

Dr. Heba Mahmoud Soufi 18-11-2021

5)-Tubular-type, when the flat LIM is rerolled around the motion axis, the tubular
LIM is obtained. This type does not have the end‐windings, thus all the conductors
and the phase current actively participate in the magnetic flux production. Also, it
does have zero net normal forces. So, tubular SLIM may be favored in short-length
travel applications.

Dr. Heba Mahmoud Soufi 18-11-2021