Experimental and Analytical Analysis of a Compact Ironless Perma-nent-Magnet Tubular Linear Motor (PM-TLSM)

This paper presents an ironless permanent-magnet tubular synchronous motor (PM-TLSM) for applications in human support systems as an alternative actuator to currently used drives topologies such as pneumatic or hydraulic actuators. The PM-TLSM is designed to be bendable so that it can be installed close to the human body since its shape is in some degree adaptable to a changing environment. To design a PM-TLSM, a semi-analytical magnetic field calculation method is presented and applied for the force calculation of the motor. With this, the motor geometry is optimized, accordingly constructed and analyzed in an experimental study to verify the semi-analytical force calculation method. The analytical and experimental results are compared in good agreement.