Development of a Low-Cost Modular Structure Fault Tolerant Field Excited Flux Switching Linear Machine for Urban Rail Transit

This paper proposes double sided complementary modular field excited flux switching linear machine (FEFSLM). FEFSLM offers the low cost, variable flux capability for a wide speed range, a compact and robust stator which is suitable for the long stroke application. Compared to other linear machines, complementary modular design has more sinusoidal and symmetrical flux linkage and lower detent force. Initially, the topology and machine working principle is thoroughly discussed. To maximize the thrust force of the machine and optimize the geometric parameters, built-in genetic algorithm (GA) of JMAG ver. 20 is utilized. Furthermore, the modular design incorporates the concept of fault-tolerant capabilities to provide the required decoupling between phases. 2D finite element analysis (FEA) is used to analyze the machine performance. Comparatively the optimized design exhibits higher thrust force, lower thrust force ripples and higher efficiency than the initial design.