Design and Manufacturing of a Linear Transverse Flux Permanent Magnet Machines

In general transverse flux machines (TFM) are considered to be complex and difficult to manufacture. However, there are some exceptions. In the linear TFM the flux plane is the same as for the conventional rotating electrical machine. Therefore, iron laminations from conventional rotating machines can be used to manufacture the stator. The manufacturing process of the stator becomes then more simple compared to the manufacturing process of the conventional linear machine. This paper deals with a novel design of a linear TFM machine for the free piston energy converter application. It describes earlier designed and manufactured prototypes and a new manufacturing approach in order to avoid the loss in flux and thereby also loss in the force production.