Review of moving magnet linear oscillating actuators for linear compressor application

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an overview of the recent developments and new topologies of single-phase moving magnet linear oscillating actuators (MMLOAs). The key advantage of the MMLOA when compared with conventional LOA is the absence of screws, gears and crankshaft mechanism, which results in fewer mechanical parts, simple structure, easy fabrication, lower noise levels and negligible frictional losses.

Design/methodology/approach

The review included papers up to August 2021. The structural designs of alternative topologies are deliberated in detail, and their relative merits and demerits are evaluated. Specific design issues, including pole and tooth number combinations, stroke length, magnet pole ratio and split ratio, are investigated. The imperative phenomena of the resonance, as well as the adjustable stroke, are also discussed in detail.

Findings

The electromagnetic performance in terms of thrust force of selected MMLOA topologies is compared. It is observed that the MMLOA with flux bridge topology has the highest thrust force of 365 N because of the large volume of the permanent magnets (PMs) used, which consequently increased the mass of the mover but based on overall performance analysis, single-phase end ferromagnetic Halbach surface-mounted PM LOA has the highest efficiency around 92%.

Originality/value

This review provides a comparative analysis for different tubular MMLOA topologies based on design construction and their electromagnetic performances.

Citation

Khalid, S., Khan, F., Ullah, B., Ahmad, Z. and Akbar, S. (2023), "Review of moving magnet linear oscillating actuators for linear compressor application", World Journal of Engineering, Vol. 20 No. 5, pp. 846-856. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJE-08-2021-0473