Multiphysics approach to numerical modelling and analysis of permanent-magnet tubular linear motors

The paper presents a multiphysics modelling through finite-element (FE) numerical field analysis for coupling electromagnetic and thermal phenomena in a permanent-magnet tubular linear motor (PMTLM). 2-D axial-symmetry FE steady-state and transient solutions are first obtained for the magnetic flux density distribution, cogging force, thrust and losses of the prototype PMTLM. The FE magnetic field results are then coupled to the 3-D FE thermal simulation in order to get the PMTLM temperature distribution. The paper proves that the multiphysics numerical analysis is a viable tool for the design and performance optimization of PMTLMs.