APPLICATION OF 3D FINITE-ELEMENT CAD TECHNIQUES IN THE DESIGN OF CURRENT SENSITIVE ELECTROMAGNETIC ACTUATORS

The paper presents a method for evaluating and optimizing the design of an electromagnetic current-sensitive actuator, using a three dimensional CAD finite element package. The analysis enables the relationship of the actuator sensitivity to manufacturing tolerance, sinusoidal current and a wide range of design and control variables to be examined. The actuator sensitivity is quantified in terms of critical design factors for four practical actuators and a range of airgap settings. The results of all the studies correlated closely with the results from test and measurements.