3-D finite element analysis of a linear induction motor

This paper presents the thrust characteristics analysis of linear induction motors (LIMs) using the 3-D finite element method (3-D FEM) with edge elem ents taking into account eddy currents. LIM's have advantages of simple str ucture, easy maintenance, less environmental pollution and so on. Therefore , they are widely used for high speed transport systems in clean rooms and hospitals. However, it is difficult to analyze the thrust characteristics o f LIM's numerically because of the three dimensional shape. In this paper, we calculate the thrust of a LIM using the 3-D FEM. It is clarified that th e validity of the 3-D FEM by comparison of the calculated and measured resu lts.