There is a wealth of information in the literature and in technical reports on the performance of single-sided linear induction motors (SLIM's) with aluminum-capped steel reaction rails. Several analytical approaches and extensive experimental data are available. Comparatively little attention has been devoted to other reaction rail options, i.e. the solid-steel and squirrel-cage configurations. These alternative rails could offer significant improvements in capital and/or operating costs of the propulsion system for specific transportation applications. At Queen's University we have conducted test programs to evaluate the performance of a SLIM with squirrel-cage, solid-steel and aluminum-capped reaction rails, using the same primary. A selection of the test results are presented to illustrate the comparative performance characteristics. It is shown that the aluminum-capped rail offers the highest thrust and the lowest normal force, and is the most efficient drive at low speed. However, end effects cause a deterioration in performance at higher speeds. Solid steel provides the cheapest rail, shows much less end effect and exhibits good plugging performance. However, as a drive, it is less efficient and exhibits lower thrust and appreciably higher normal force than the aluminum-capped rail. The squirrel-cage rail exhibits an intermediate performance and is the most expensive rail option. The suitability of the three rail alternatives for various applications will be discussed.
The Comparative Performance of Single-Sided Linear Induction Motors with Squirrel-Cage, Solid-Steel and Aluminum-Capped Reaction Rails
1981-10-01
494758 byte
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
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