Chapter 5 – Electromechanical Devices

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the theory of electromechanical devices, as well as various practical applications. Electromechanical devices convert electrical energy to mechanical energy. Electromechanical devices consist of three subsystems: the electrical drive circuitry, an electromechanical coupling subsystem, and a mechanical subsystem. Electromechanical devices are governed by a coupled system of electrical and mechanical equations. The electrical equations follow from quasi-static field theory, and the mechanical equations follow from Newton's laws. Furthermore, the chapter derives equations of motion for electromechanical devices that execute either linear or rotational motion. These equations are applied to the analysis of various practical devices including magnetic circuit actuators, linear, rotational and resonant actuators, axial-field motors, and stepper motors. The focus is on magnetically linear, singly excited (single pair of electrical terminals), electromechanical devices with a single degree of mechanical freedom.