Linear Motor Electromagnetic Actuator High-Temperature Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current linear motors face inefficiencies at elevated temperatures due to the degradation of rare earth permanent magnets, limiting their application in high-temperature environments such as internal combustion engines, where magnetic strength decreases with increasing temperature, leading to reduced performance and increased cost, weight, and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The use of energized forcer and thruster coils made of electromagnets, with a ferrous housing system to focus magnetic forces, allowing for independent control of magnetic fields and maintaining magnetic strength across varying temperatures, reducing the reliance on permanent magnets and minimizing weight and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If rare earth permanent magnets are used to increase magnetic strength, then the power and efficiency of the linear motor is improved, but the cost, weight, and sensitivity to temperature increase worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces permanent magnets with electromagnets (coils) to generate the magnetic field. This substitution eliminates the need for rare earth materials, reducing cost and weight while providing temperature-insensitive operation. The electromagnets are controlled by a power controller that delivers precise power to maintain magnetic strength across varying temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the method of generating magnetic fields from passive permanent magnets to active electromagnets with controllable current. This allows dynamic adjustment of magnetic field strength and provides immunity to temperature effects, as the electrical parameters can be compensated to maintain performance.
2Power
If rare earth permanent magnets are used to increase magnetic strength, then the power and efficiency of the linear motor is improved, but the reliability at elevated temperatures worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces temperature-sensitive permanent magnets with electromagnets that can be actively controlled. The electromagnets maintain consistent magnetic field strength across temperature ranges by allowing real-time adjustment of current, eliminating the degradation issues inherent in permanent magnets at elevated temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a control system with a power controller that can monitor and adjust the electrical parameters supplied to the electromagnets. This feedback mechanism ensures that magnetic field strength remains stable despite temperature variations, maintaining reliability in high-temperature environments.
3Power
If more powerful permanent magnets are used to maintain performance at high temperature, then the magnetic strength is improved, but the system weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes heavy rare earth permanent magnets with lightweight electromagnets consisting of coils and ferromagnetic cores. This substitution dramatically reduces system weight while maintaining the capability to generate strong magnetic fields through controlled current, without the temperature sensitivity issues of permanent magnets.
4Power
If more powerful permanent magnets are used to maintain performance at high temperature, then the magnetic strength is improved, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive rare earth permanent magnets with cost-effective electromagnets using standard copper or aluminum wire coils. This substitution significantly reduces material costs while providing equivalent or superior performance through electrical control, eliminating the need for costly rare earth materials.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides a high-power, controllable, and lightweight linear motor system capable of operating effectively at elevated temperatures, offering precise control over valve actuation in internal combustion engines with reduced complexity and cost compared to traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
energized forcer and thruster coils are used for the field and armature elements, respectively
Implementation Method 2
controlling the power delivered to the forcer and thruster coils, the movement of the reciprocating shaft is controlled
Implementation Method 3
A ferrous system housing and open ferrous containers for the thruster coils may be further included to advantageously focus the magnetic forces
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical system including a linear motor in which energized forcer and thruster coils are used for the field and armature elements, respectively. In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, one or more thruster coils may be provided on a reciprocating shaft with opposing single or multiple fixed forcer coils. Using coils as the electromagnets for both forcer and thruster coils advantageously provides necessary power while also minimizing system weight and decreases in magnetism typically encountered with permanent magnets with rising temperature, resulting in higher and more controllable magnetic forces over varying temperatures. A ferrous system housing and open ferrous containers for the thruster coils may be further included to advantageously focus the magnetic forces. Additionally, multiple forcer and thruster coils may be disposed in various arrangements along the reciprocating shaft. Exemplary applications include use of such a system for controlling oscillations of a poppet valve in an internal combustion engine.