Calculation of the thermal field of a linear induction motor (LIM) considering a discontinuous secondary plate

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the linear induction motor (LIM) thermal field when the motor passes through the discontinuous area of the secondary plate in rail transit operation.

Design/methodology/approach

To study the thermal field when the LIM passes through the discontinuous area of the secondary plate, the two-dimensional (2D) electromagnetic field model of the motor is first established to calculate and analyze the electromagnetic field of the LIM, and then the motor thermal field is calculated according to the calculation results of the motor electromagnetic field. Finally, the heat source (the motor loss) and the heat dissipation coefficient are added to the thermal field calculation model to calculate the motor thermal field.

Findings

This study found that the discontinuity of the secondary board would lead to changes in the electromagnetic field of the linear induction motor to change, which would reduce the motor efficiency and increase the loss, resulting in a sudden increase in the temperature field of the motor.

Originality/value

The LIM temperature field calculation when the LIM passes through the discontinuous area of the secondary board could provide an early warning for the potential risks of the LIM in rail transit applications.

Citation

Fu, Q. and Lv, X. (2023), "Calculation of the thermal field of a linear induction motor (LIM) considering a discontinuous secondary plate", COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, Vol. 42 No. 1, pp. 241-249. https://doi.org/10.1108/COMPEL-02-2022-0074