Optimizing the efficiency in permanent magnet linear synchronous motor

Document Type : Research Paper

Author
Department of Power Engineering, Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran
10.22075/ijnaa.2025.38807.5529
Abstract
Permanent Magnet Linear Synchronous Motors (PMLSMs) are widely adopted in automation, transport, robotics, and renewable energy due to their high thrust density and precision. However, challenges such as end effects, force ripple, and thermal losses continue to constrain their efficiency. This study proposes an integrated optimization framework combining mathematical modeling, structural design, advanced control, and experimental validation. Maxwell-based formulations and Fourier analysis were employed to characterize thrust and ripple dynamics. Structural enhancements—including flux barriers, Halbach arrays, and pole-shifting—were implemented to reduce detent forces and harmonics. Control strategies (id = 0, direct thrust control, and Particle Swarm Optimization) minimized copper and iron losses while improving stability. High-fidelity FEM simulations (ANSYS Maxwell, COMSOL) and prototype testing at 3 m/s and 60 m/s² were used for validation. The results show substantial performance gains. Detent force dropped from 67.65 N to ≈4.14 N with flux barriers, improving positioning accuracy from 0.25 mm to 0.10 mm. Force ripple decreased from 12.5% to 0.6% using 15° pole-shifting, corresponding to ~95% suppression and 10 dB noise reduction. Overall efficiency improved from 82.5% to 95.2% with GA-based optimization, with experimental error below 1.5%. Positioning precision was enhanced by ~33% (150 μm → 100 μm), while the power factor increased from 0.85 to 0.94 (~12% energy savings). In marine simulations, Halbach array PMLSMs reached ~90% efficiency and 3.05 kW/m³ power density. In conclusion, integrating structural redesign, intelligent control, and FEM-based validation effectively addresses PMLSM limitations, setting a new benchmark for high-efficiency applications in robotics, high-speed transport, and renewable energy.
Keywords

[1] R. Cao and M. Cheng, Optimization for a modular linear flux-switching PMLSM performance, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron. 60 (2013), no. 12.
[2] R. Cao and D. Shen, Research on detent force characteristics of a linear flux-switching permanent-magnet motor for electromagnetic launch systems, IEEE Trans. Energy Convers. 36 (2021), no. 6, X–Y.
[3] F. Chen, PMLSM motion system disturbance analysis and suppression—a survey, MDPI Mechatronics 10 (2023), no. 4, article 77.
[4] X. Chen, J. Hu, Z. Chen and S. Ding, Optimization design and torque performance research of interior PMSMs, Sci. Rep. 14 (2024), article 93285.
[5] S. Chen, Y. Liu, Q. Zhang and J. Tan, Analysis and suppression of thrust ripple in a PMLSM—a review, Energies 18 (2025), no. 4, article 863.
[6] S.K. Chung and J.M. Kim, Double-sided iron-core PMLSM mover teeth arrangement design for reduction of detent force and speed ripple, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron. 63 (2016), no. 5, 3000–3008.
[7] M.K. Chung, J.W. Kim, B.C. Woo, D.K. Hong, J.Y. Lee, Y.D. Chun, and D.H. Koo, Design and experimental validation of doubly salient PMLSM for precision position control, Mechatronics 23 (2013), no. 2, 172–181.
[8] M.K. Chung, J.W. Kim, B.C. Woo, D.K. Hong, J.Y. Lee, and D.H. Koo, Force ripple and magnetic unbalance reduction design for doubly salient PMLSM, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron. 47 (2011), no. 6, 4207–4210.
[9] S. Kim, Long-term performance analysis of PMLSMs, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron. 70 (2023), no. 8, 7890–7899.
[10] J. Kim and S. Park, Wave energy converters with PMLSMs: Efficiency and cost analysis, Renew. Energy 172 (2021), 1123–1132.
[11] Z. Lan, L. Chen, X. Xiao, Y. Luo, M. Deng, and S. Zhu, Detent force suppression of PMLSM based on a V-shaped tooth-slot structure, IET Electr. Power Appl. 17 (2023), no. 5, 535–546.
[12] K. Lee, Neural network-based precision control in robotics, IEEE Trans. Robot. 39 (2023), no. 4, 2456–2465.
[13] C. Lee and Y. Choi, Manufacturing tolerances in PMLSM performance, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron. 68 (2021), no. 7, 6234–6243.
[14] S.G. Lee, S.A. Kim, S. Saha, Y.W. Zhu, and Y.H. Cho, Optimal structure design for minimizing detent force of PMLSM for a ropless elevator, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron. 50 (2014), no. 1, article 4001104.
[15] X. Liu, J. Gao, S. Huang, and K. Lu, Magnetic field and thrust analysis of the U-channel air-core PMLSM, IEEE Trans. Magn. 53 (2017), no. 5, article 8201504.
[16] D.M. Lonel and Y. Duan, A review of recent developments in electrical machine design optimization methods with a PMSM benchmark study, IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl. 49 (2013), no. 3, 1268–1275.
[17] D.M. Lonel and M. Popescu, Automated multi-objective design optimization of PM AC machines using computationally efficient FEA and differential evolution, IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl. 49 (2013), no. 5, 2086–2096.
[18] Z. Miao and Y. Su, Analysis of detent force in flat-type PMLSM and multi-objective optimization based on parameter classification, IEEE Trans. Electr. Electron. Eng. 17 (2022), no. 8, N–M.
[19] J. Park and H. Kim, Adaptive control for PMLSM in high-speed transportation, IEEE Trans. Transp. Electr. 8 (2022), no. 2, 987–996.
[20] H. Polinder, B.C. Mecrow, A.G. Jack, P.G. Dickinson, and M.A. Mueller, Conventional and TFPM linear generators for direct-drive wave energy conversion, IEEE Trans. Energy Convers 20 (2005), no. 2, 260–267.
[21] R. Smith, Rare-earth magnet supply chain challenges, J. Magn. Mater. 15 (2023), article 105672.
[22] Z. Sun, X. Xu, and K. Watanabe, Minimizing detent force of PMLSMs by designing mover using mesh-level stochastic shaping, Energy Rep. 9 (2023), no. 10, 859–869.
[23] Q. Tan, X.Z. Huang, L. Li, and M. Wang, Magnetic field analysis and flux barrier design for modular PMLSM, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron. 67 (2020), no. 5, 3891–3900.
[24] P. Virtic and B. Stumberger, Analytical analysis of magnetic field and force calculation in a slotless-type PMLSM; verification with numerical analysis, Proc. IEEE Int. Elect. Mach. & Drives Conf., 2007, pp. 963–968.
[25] L. Wang, Maintenance challenges in Halbach array motors, J. Magn. Magn. Mater. 16 (2024), article 107893.
[26] Y. Wang, Y. Feng, X. Zhang and J. Liang, Efficiency improvement of PMSM for electric vehicles, Energy 213 (2020), article 118806.
[27] L. Wu, Y. Li, and Q. Lu, Detent force fast optimization method of modular PMLSMs, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron. 71 (2024), no. 12, 16191–16199.
[28] X. Xu, Z. Sun, B. Du, and L. Ai, Pole optimization and thrust ripple suppression of new Halbach consequent-pole PMLSM for ropless elevator propulsion, IEEE Access 8 (2020), 62042–62052.
[29] F. Zhang, Permanent Magnet Linear Synchronous Motor, in Encyclopedia, 2021.
[30] L. Zhang and H. Wang, Smart factory automation with PMLSM-based motion systems, IEEE Trans. Autom. Sci. Eng. 19 (2022), no. 3, 1456–1465.
[31] J. Zhao, Q. Mou, K. Guo, X. Liu, J. Li, and Y. Guo, Reduction of the detent force in a flux-switching permanent magnet linear motor, IEEE Trans. Energy Convers. 34 (2019), no. 4, 1695–1705.
[32] J. Zhao, Q. Mou, C. Zhu, C. Chen, and J. Li, Study on a double-sided PMLSM with reversed slots, IEEE/ASME Trans. Mechatron. 26 (2021), no. 1, 3–12.
[33] Y.W. Zhu, S.G. Lee, K.S. Chung, and Y.H. Cho, Investigation of auxiliary poles design criteria on reduction of end effect of detent force for PMLSM, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron. 45 (2009), no. 2, 2863–2866.

Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 18 October 2026

  • Receive Date 25 August 2025
  • Revise Date 13 September 2025
  • Accept Date 13 September 2025