A TEST BENCH OF A LINEAR INDUCTION MOTOR FOR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
Keywords:
high-speed transportation systems, linear induction motor, copper plating, secondary element, test bench, traction force.Abstract
A test bench for a linear induction motor (LIM) intended for transportation systems is presented. The possibility of improving the traction characteristics of linear induction motors used in ground-based high-speed transportation systems is considered. The relevance of the study is conditioned by the growing spread of LIMs in railway transportation systems and in drives of conveyor, elevator, and other systems, as well as the need to ensure sufficient traction force developed by the LIM to overcome sections with large inclinations and operate under overloaded modes. As the object of the study, a LIM with a short double-sided stator and a long secondary element is adopted. The aim of the work is the development and fabrication of a test bench for studying the electromagnetic and mechanical parameters of the motor when using secondary elements of various designs, including copper-plated steel variants. Within the framework of the study, calculations of LIM parameters were carried out using the existing methods, experimental stators and a support structure for the secondary element were manufactured. Methods for measuring the linear speed of the LIM secondary element and the traction force acting on it are presented. The influence of the thickness of the copper coating on the value of the traction force during LIM start-up is evaluated in comparison with a solid steel secondary element. The test results are presented, which show that, compared to a solid steel secondary element, the copper-plated secondary element provides a noticeable increase in traction force: from 7,5 to 50% with a copper layer thickness of 0,25 mm and from 22,4 to 53,8% with a thickness of 0,5 mm. The results of the measurements show the potential of using copper-plated secondary elements to increase the traction force of the LIM. However, for a more accurate assessment of the results, it is necessary to study in more detail the effect of friction forces on the secondary element.
