Design and analysis of a linear actuator for contactless positioning systems

This paper presents the semi-analytical calculation of a propulsion force, generated between a moving permanent magnet and a rectangular air-core coil. The derivation of the proposed equations is based on the magnetic surface charge model. Compared to time-consuming numerical programs, this method combines high accuracy with a very short calculation time. Moreover, a Halbach array and a single permanent magnet are compared in terms of levitation force generation. The results obtained by the analytical equations and the verification by finite element method (FEM) will be presented in this paper as well.