Optimization of an axisymmetric linear electromagnetic valve actuator

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the optimization of a permanent magnet linear actuator with soft magnetic mover for electromagnetic valve. The optimization is carried out with respect to the minimal magnetomotive force ensuring required minimum electromagnetic force on the mover.

Design/methodology/approach

Three optimization factors are employed. The value of the electromagnetic force and the objective function – the magnetomotive force – are obtained by caring out a full factorial design of experiment. For obtaining the objective function for each parameter combination, nonlinear equation is solved in order to minimize the flux that creates force in backward direction. Thus, several finite element analyses are carried out for each parameter combination. Then, response surface model is created and optimized. The obtained optimal solution is verified again by finite element analysis.

Findings

The paper finds that optimal actuator has been obtained and its force‐stroke characteristics and temperature distribution at steady‐state mode are given.

Originality/value

The valve is optimized by defining optimization function to be the solution of an equation canceling the flux in the nonactive part of the valve.

Citation

Yatchev, I., Gueorgiev, V. and Hinov, K. (2009), "Optimization of an axisymmetric linear electromagnetic valve actuator", COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, Vol. 28 No. 5, pp. 1249-1256. https://doi.org/10.1108/03321640910969494