Actuator Design
Example 1
Consider the DC electromagnetic actuator shown in the Fig. 1 which is constructed from
Silicon sheet steel. The coil of the actuator comprises 350 turns and is supplied from a DC
voltage source. All dimensions shown are in millimeters.
15
10 x GAP
60 IA
350 Turns
10
10
10
60
Figure 1
It is desired to operate this actuator at a flux density of 1.2 T when the length of the air gap
x GAP is 1.0 mm.
(a) Calculate the total magnetomotive force (mmf) required at the input to this
magnetic circuit (i.e. the required mmf of the coil) in order to achieve the required
flux density at an air gap of 1.0 mm. Neglect fringing in the air gap but do not neglect
the reluctance of the magnetic steel.
(b) From your solution to part (a), calculate the reluctance of the entire magnetic circuit
and current I in the coil under these operating conditions. Given that the diameter if
the copper wire used for the winding is 0.5 mm, calculate the magnitude of the dc
voltage input required to obtain the total input mmf you have initially calculated in
part (a). The resistivity of copper may be taken as 1.73 × 10-8 m. The layer of
insulation between the vertical limb and the winding is made of pressboard with a
thickness of 0.3 mm.
(c) Re-calculate the reluctance of the entire magnetic circuit for the condition when the
length of the air gap has been increased to 1.1 mm for the input value of mmf
calculated in part (a). Neglect fringing in the air gap but do not neglect the
reluctance of the magnetic steel. Work to an accuracy of less or equal to five
percent.
(d) Estimate the force generated by this actuator for the condition when the length of
air gap is 1.0 mm for the input value of mmf calculated in part (a).
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Actuator Design
Example 2
10
10 x GT
60 350 mA
3700 Turns 10
Pivot point
10
10 x GB
50
Figure 2
Consider the DC electromagnetic actuator shown in Figure 2 which is constructed from
Armco Iron. All dimensions shown are in millimeters. At a particular position of the plunger,
the width of the top air gap x GT is 1.0 mm and the width x GB of the bottom air gap is 0.1
mm.
(a) Calculate the reluctance of the entire magnetic circuit when the top air gap
width is 1.0 mm. Neglect fringing in the air gaps but do not neglect the
reluctance of the iron. Work to an accuracy of less or equal to four percent.
(b) Re-calculate the reluctance of the entire magnetic circuit for the condition when
the width of the top air gap has been increased to 1.1 mm. Neglect fringing in
the air gaps but do not neglect the reluctance of the iron. Work to an accuracy
of less or equal to four percent.
(c) Estimate the force exerted by the actuator for the condition when the width of
the top air gap x GT is 1.0 mm.
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Actuator Design
BH curve for Example 1 and 2.
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