Research on the electromagnetic structure and performance of a novel transverse-flux PM linear machine used for free-piston energy converter

A novel transverse-flux PM linear machine is proposed in this paper. Flux leakage analysis and parameter optimization are accomplished by finite-element method (FEM). Thrust characteristics, efficiency and power density are compared between comparable radial, axial, halbach and transverse-flux machines. Simulation results indicate the advantage of the transverse-flux machine in thrust characteristics and efficiency. A prototype was manufactured and further experiments showed good agreement with the theoretical results.