Basic Design equations of Linear Electric Machines
Neeta Govindpure1 Ram Hipparagi2
D. B. Talange4 V.B. Bhole5
Electrical Engineering Deptt. 1,2,4,5 rmhipparagi@gmail.com2
College of Engineering Pune (COEP) dbt.elec@coep.ac.in4
Pune, India vbb.elec@ coep.ac.in5
ngovindpure@gmail.com1
Abstract— Application of linear electric machine has been
increased in recent due to automation of the manufacturing
industry, fast transport systems and various defence
applications. These machines performance is superior to their
rotary counterpart in various specialized applications. So it is
necessary to derive the generic equations for designing of
linear electric machines. Among different linear electric
motors, linear induction motors (LIM) have been widely used
due to their simplicity and low construction cost.
During design stage of these LIM, it has been observed by
the authors that basic design equations of rotary induction
motors (RIM) are commonly used. Though the Equations of
RIM can be used for design of LIM, but it does not gives a true
flavor of LIM. Further, many specialized softwares for
designing and analyzing require basic dimensions. These
generic design equations of linear induction motor are derived
and converted by referring conventional rotary induction
motor in this paper. The simple design equation of LIM
separates out basic dimensions of like length and width. The
end effect and Edge effects are neglected in this study. Derived
design equation is used to design double sided linear induction
motor (DSLIM), 12 meter in length in this paper. Also 3D
Maxwell software is used to analyze this motor at no-load
condition.
Keywords— Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch system
(EMALS), Linear Electric Machine (LEM), Linear Induction
Motor (LIM), Double Sided LIM (DSLIM), Modular
construction, Continuous construction.
I INTRODUCTION
In the present world scenario, it has become essential to
design, optimise, analyse, realize and test mission critical
system or equipment for the desired conditions and results.
It shall respond as quickly as possible to react or
counterbalance the opponent. Electromagnetic Aircraft
Launch System (EMALS) is one such system [1]. It replaces
the conventional steam based catapult system due to many
associated advantages. Concept of EMALS is not new [2]-
[4] and was attempted first in 1946. However, it was
abandoned due to high cost, inefficient, more weight and
volume. EMALS again started in 1995 in USA due to
advancement in technologies in all the fields of engineering.
Many other countries have initiated work for development
of EMALS. Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System
(EMALS) comprises of many subsystem of which linear
electric motor is one critical machine [5]-[12]. It provides
additional thrust to launch aircraft from a shortest runway.
Among various types of linear electric machines, Double-
Sided Linear Induction Motor (DSLIM) has been selected
due to many advantages in-spite of few disadvantages [13]-
[16]. EMALS requires around one hundred metre long
DSLIM to accelerate fighter aircraft and braking / stopping
of shuttle/ rotor. It has been decided that an attempt shall be
978-1-5386-9316-2/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE
Arbind Kumar3
Electromechanical Systems Group3
Research & Dev. Estt (Engrs)
Defence Research and Dev. Orgn.
Ministry of Defence, GOI
Pune, India
arbindmani@gmail.com3
made to develop a DSLIM of twelve meter long for
acceleration of unmanned Aviation Vehicle (UAV) and
braking of shuttle. Accordingly, other related technologies
shall be developed. Therefore, this paper focuses on design
of Linear Electric Machine and in particular Linear
Induction Motor (LIM). Very few specialised softwares are
available to design, analyse and optimise such machines.
However these softwares require many input design
parameters to get final optimized design. These parameters
can be determined from some basic design equations. It has
been observed that there are very few references for design
of linear electric machines [7]-[8], [14], [17]-[21] and most
of these reference books start with Maxwell’s equations
whereas in some other cases, it is the basic design equation
of rotary electric machines. It is felt by the authors that
starting with electromagnetic concept becomes a bit difficult
to the beginner to understand and using basic design
equation of rotary electric machines is unconvincing.
In this paper, an attempt has been made to derive basic
design equation for linear electric machine from basic
concept. Linear electric machine main dimensions have
been derived in a similar way like rotary electric machines.
Further these equations are used to design a 12m long
DSLIM for launch of UAV or Drone. Analysis has been
carried out in a 3D Maxwell and results are presented for
no-load condition for modular and continuous configuration.
II DESIGN EQUATIONS
The design engineer decides the rating (Output power) of
the conventional rotary electric motor based on load
requirement, operational time, and environmental conditions.
Efficiency, power factor and other parameters are assumed to
a suitable value. Based on these input parameters, input kVA
of the machine is decided. In general, output power of
induction motor is given in kW [22] whereas old machines
are given in hp. Output power in kilowatt (kW) or horse
power (hp) is converted into input kVA as given by Eq. (1)
and (2) respectively. The design equations of conventional
rotary electric machines are given in various electrical
machine design books [23]- [25]. The output equation is
given by Eq. (3).
 ൌ ሺŠ’ ൈ ͲǤ͹Ͷ͸ሻȀሺɄ ൈ …‘•Ȱሻ (1)
 ൌ ȀሺɄ ൈ …‘•Ȱሻ (2)
 ൌ ୭ ଶ ୱ (3)
where, ୭ ൌ ͳͳ ൈ ୟ୴ ൈ ƒ… ൈ  ୵ ൈ ͳͲିଷ (4)
D = Armature diameter, m;
L = Length of the stator core, m;
ns= Synchronous speed, r.p.s.;
Bav= Specific magnetic loading,
ac = Specific electric loading;
Kw = Winding factor;
 C0 = Output coefficient; large and stator is smaller. Therefore power transfer takes
Q = Input power to electric machine in kVA. place to the entire length of stator. In case of configuration
Input kVA rating of the Linear Electric Machine is shown in Fig. 1(b), Power transfer takes place to the length
calculated from Newton’s equations as follows: L whereas stator length is more than L. Therefore is this
‘™‡” ൌ Š”—•– ൈ ‡Ž‘…‹–› case, there is a correction factor to Q, whose value is greater
= ƒ•• ൈ ……‡Ž‡”ƒ–‹‘ ൈ ‡Ž‘…‹–› than one. The correction factor is dependent on the reactive
=  ൈ ƒ ൈ ୰ (5) power of the machine as no power transfer is taking place to
In Eq. (5), Velocity is continuously varying. Now, input non over lapping part. As shown in Fig.1 (b), L is the
kVA is determined as given in Eq. (2). Alternatively, input effective length of the stator, W is the width of the stator
kVA to LEM is calculated as follows: and D is the depth/ height of the stator core.
ଵ
Kinetic energy =  ൈ ୰ଶ
ଶ
Power = Work done/time
= Kinetic energy/time
ଵ
=  ൈ ୰ଶ Ȁ–
ଶ
where, M = Total moving mass, including shuttle mass
Vr= Moving mass velocity
t = Total time of travel Fig.1 (a): Stator with long rotor
Time, t, is determined using Newton’s law of motion. It
is simplified and written as:
ଵ
Power =  ൈ ୰ଷ Ȁ† (6)
ସ
where, d, is the distance travelled by the moving mass.
Once again, if output power is known, input kVA is
determined using Eq. (2). Here, it is very important to
mention that there is a great difference in efficiency and Fig.1 (b): Stator with short rotor
power factor of rotary induction motor and linear induction
motor [26]. Linear induction motors have poor values of
efficiency and power factor and even during starting these
are again very poor.
Another, important relation which is used very
frequently in linear electric machine is synchronous velocity
versus stator frequency relationship similar to synchronous
speed versus stator frequency of rotary electric machine. It
is converted as follows: Fig.1 (c): Double Sided Stator with short rotor
ଵଶ଴୤
ୱ ൌ r.p.m. (7) In a similar way, as Eq. [3] is derived for rotary electric
୔
where, Ns is synchronous speed of rotary electric machines, it is derived for linear electric machine as follows:
machine in r.p.m., f is the stator supply voltage frequency Consider a three phase LEM having one circuit per
and P is the number of stator poles. phase, kVA rating,  is given as
ଶ஠ ଵଶ଴୤ ଶ஠
ɘୱ ൌ ୱ ൈ ൌ ൈ radians / second (8)  ൌ ͵ ൈ ୮୦ ൈ ୮୦ ൈ ͳͲିଷ (11)
଺଴ ୔ ଺଴
Relation between linear velocity and rotational velocity ୮୦ ൌ –ƒ–‘”‹’—–˜‘Ž–ƒ‰‡’‡”’Šƒ•‡
is given as follows [27]: and ୮୦ ൌ –ƒ–‘”‹’—–…—””‡–’‡”’Šƒ•‡
ୱ ൌ ” ൈ ɘୱ Stator input voltage may be taken as induced emf per
Substituting the value of ߱௦ from Eq. (8), we get phase, ignoring stator resistance voltage drop. Hence,
ʹɎ” ୮୦ ൌ ୮୦ ൌ ͶǤͶͶ ൈ ˆ ൈ ‫ ׎‬ൈ ୮୦ ൈ  ୵ (12)
ୱ ൌ ൈ ʹˆ
 where ୮୦ ൌ –ƒ–‘”–—”•’‡”’Šƒ•‡
ୱ ൌ ʹɒ ൈ ˆ (9)  ୵ ൌ –ƒ–‘”‫”‘–…ƒˆ‰‹†‹ݓ‬
where, ɒ ൌ ʹɎ”Ȁ is called as pole pitch. ‫ ׎‬ൌ –ƒ–‘”ˆŽ—š’‡”’‘Ž‡
ʹߨ‫ ݎ‬is the periphery of the rotary electric machine. In f = Stator supply voltage frequency
case of linear electric machine, periphery becomes length Substituting values of stator frequency ˆ from Eq. (9) in
and length of REM becomes width of LEM. Therefore, Eq. (12) and further substituting value of ୮୦ in Eq. (10), we
ୗ୲ୟ୲୭୰୐ୣ୬୥୲୦୭୤୐୉୑
‘Ž‡’‹–…Šǡ ɒ ൌ  (10) get
୒୭Ǥ୭୤ୗ୲ୟ୲୭୰୔୭୪ୣୱ
୚
Structure of linear electric machines is given in Fig.1  ൌ ͵ ൈ ͶǤͶͶ ൈ ౩ ൈ ‫ ׎‬ൈ ୮୦ ൈ  ୵ ൈ ୮୦ ൈ ͳͲିଷ (13)
த
(a)-Fig.1(c) show different configuration of LEM. Total number of stator conductors
Configuration of Fig.1(a) is known as long rotor short
Z ൌ —„‡”‘ˆ’Šƒ•‡• ൈ ʹ ൈ —”•’‡”’Šƒ•‡
primary configuration whereas configuration of Fig. 1(b) is
= ͵ ൈ ʹ ൈ ୮୦
known as short rotor long primary configuration. Fig. 1(c)
shows the long primary short rotor double sided and current in each conductor ୸ ൌ ୮୦ , as there is one
configuration. The detailed classification of LIM is given in circuit per phase.
[14]. The power transfer takes place only from that part of Therefore total electric loading = ୸ ൈ = ୮୦ ൈ ͵ ൈ ʹ ൈ ୮୦
stator where rotor overlaps to stator. In Fig 1(a) rotor is and total magnetic loading =  ൈ ‫׎‬
Putting above mentioned values and re-writing Eq. (13) Supply frequency (f), Hertz 100
 ൌ ͳǤͳͳ ൈ –‘–ƒŽƒ‰‡–‹…Ž‘ƒ†‹‰ ൈ No. of stator poles (P) 4
୚
–‘–ƒŽ‡Ž‡…–”‹…Ž‘ƒ†‹‰ ൈ ౩ ൈ  ୵ ൈ ͳͲିଷ (14) No. of stator phases (m) 3
୐
Total magnetic loading  ൈ ‫ ׎‬ൌ  ൈ  ൈ ୟ୴ Slots /pole/phase (SPP), q 1
and total electric loading୸ ൈ  ൌ  ൈ ƒ…
Rotor speed (Vr), m/s 40
where  ൌ ˆˆ‡…–‹˜‡Ž‡‰–Š‘ˆ–Š‡•–ƒ–‘”
 ൌ ‹†–Š‘ˆ–Š‡•–ƒ–‘” Current density (ߜ௦ ), Amp/mm 2
15
ୟ୴ = Stator average flux density Power factor (cos‫)׎‬ 0.5
ƒ… ൌSpecific electric loading
Efficiency (ߟሻ 0.6
Putting these values in Eq. (14), we get
 ൌ ͳǤͳͳ ൈ ୟ୴ ൈ ƒ… ൈ  ୵ ൈ ͳͲିଷ ൈ  ൈ ൈ • Flux density (Bav), Wb/mm2 0.65
‘” ൌ  ଴ ൈ  ൈ ൈ • (15) Tooth flux density (Bt), Wb/mm2 1.50
where ଴ ൌ ͳǤͳͳ ൈ ୟ୴ ൈ ƒ… ൈ  ୵ ൈ ͳͲିଷ (16)
Length of rotor core, m 1.5
Eq. (15) is defined as output equation and coefficient଴ ,
given in Eq. (16) is defined as output coefficient. Height of rotor, m 0.426
Slip, s, is defined in a same way as for rotational speed in Width of rotor, mm 10
rotary electric machine [7]. Air gap between stator and rotor, mm 5
୚ ି୚
• ൌ  ౩ ౨ (17)
୚౩
TABLE IV CALCULATED PARAMETERS
III MAIN DIMENSIONS
Design Parameter (Calculated) Value

Length and diameter of rotary electric machine are Linear synchronous speed (Vs), m/sec 44.44
determined using Eq. (3). First product D2L is obtained by Force / Thrust (F), kN 6
putting known or assumed values in the same equation.
Stator phase current (Iph), Amp 825
Based on the specific application or as given in Table I [23],
L and D are separated. Pole pitch (), mm 250
Primary length (L), m 1.0
୐
TABLE I RATIO FOR VARIOUS DESIGNS OF REM Primary width (W), mm 426
ఛ
DESIGN PROPERTY ‫ۺ‬ Stator turns per phase (Tph) 14
VALUE OF RATIO
ૌ
Minimum cost 1.5 to 2.0 Stator slots 12
Good power factor 1.0 to 1.25
Good efficiency 1.5 Stator slot pitch (Yss), mm 83
Good overall design 1.0 Tooth width (Wt), mm 28
Slot width (Ws), mm 55
Product of length, L, and width, W, of LEM is
Depth of slot, mm 17
determined from Eq. (15). Separation of L and W can either
be carried out in a similar way as for REM or many a times it Height of yoke (hy), mm 47
is application dependent. TABLE I of REM is converted for Area of stator conductor, mm 2
55
LEM for the same design properties and are given in
TABLE II.
V RESULTS
୐ In DSLIM, transverse forces in rotor are absent
TABLE II RATIO FOR VARIOUS DESIGNS OF LEM
୛ because of two stators as they cancel each other compared to
‫ۺ‬
DESIGN PROPERTY VALUE OF RATIO single sided linear motor [26]. Because of this advantage,
‫܅‬
Minimum cost P/1.5 to P/2.0 we are considering DSLIM for electromagnetic aircraft
Good power factor P to P/1.25 launch system (EMALS) application. Various studies have
Good efficiency P/1.5 been carried out [28]-[32] for DSLIM and DSLSM but all
Good overall design P* for only one module. In this paper, Modular structure of
*Here P is the number of poles of stator of LEM.
DSLIM is simulated and analyzed because of its advantages
IV DESIGN CALCULATIONS like; we can replace the damaged stator part of the machine
Design and analysis is carried out for 500 kW DSLIM. [1]. For initial analysis, rotor is considered in the form of
However each stator is designed for 250 kW. For designing conduction sheet. The motor is designed and analyzed in
purpose some parameters are assumed as given in TABLE Maxwell 3D software. FEA analysis is carried out for 12 m
III and calculated parameters are given in TABLE IV. DSLIM having 12 modules of 1 metre each as shown in
Fig.3. For this application we kept acceleration constant
TABLE III ASSUMED PARAMETERS
which is six times gravitational force and velocity is varying
Design Parameter (Assumed) Value with time. Simulation is carried out for 0.7 sec and for that
time, results are observed and given below. There is a
Supply Voltage (V), Volts 700
uniform air-gap between each stator and rotor having values
of 5 mm.
 Starting initial offsets are present in stator current
waveform as shown in Fig.4. These offsets are because of
high magnetising current at the starting which leads to low
power factor. Rotor reaches 14 m in 0.7 sec, after that rotor
position is remains constant as shown in Fig. 5.

Speed of rotor linearly increases up to 42 m/s for

position of rotor 14 m as shown in Fig. 6. As acceleration is
kept constant, velocity in terms of acceleration given as,
velocity = 6g×time. Transients are present in the force
waveform because of non-linear model of the machine. Fig.5: Position of rotor vs time (Modular)
Force is present up to 0.64 sec i.e. at 12 m length of stator as
shown in Fig.7. Maximum force obtained here is 160 N for
60 kg mass of rotor i.e. for no load condition.

Analysis and simulation for 12 metre continuous

structure of DSLIM is also carried out at no-load conditions
and FEM structure and results are shown in Fig.8 to Fig. 12
respectively.
VI CONCLUSION
New output equation for linear electric machine (LEM)
has been derived in this paper. They easily correlate output
and dimensions of the machine. Initial analysis is carried out Fig.6: Speed vs time (Modular)
for modular structure for DSLIM with rotor is conductive
sheet. In Modular structure, each stator has half-filled slots
at the entry and exit end. Because of this, end effect is more
in this structure. Analysis is also carried out for continuous
structure and it concludes that thrust is having lesser
transient and much smoother in this configuration.

Fig.7: Force / Thrust vs time (Modular)

Fig.3: DSLIM 12 m FEM modular model

Fig.8: DSLIM 12 m FEM continuous model

Fig.4: Supply current vs time (Modular)

Fig.9: Supply current vs time (Continuous)
Fig.10: Position of rotor vs time (Continuous)
Fig.11: Speed vs time (Continuous)
Fig.12: Force / Thrust vs time (Continuous)
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Authors (Dr Arbind Kumar) wish to thank Shri V.V.
Parlikar, Outstanding Scientist and Director, Research and
Development Estt. (Engineers), Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence,
Government of India, Alandi road, Dighi PO, Pune-411015
for permitting to publish and present this paper in IEEE-
PEDES 2018 at IIT Madras, Chennai .
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