Analysis of the Fractional Pole-Pair Linear PM Vernier Machine for Force Ripple Reduction

Linear permanent magnet Vernier machine (LPMVM) is attracting more and more attentions recently due to its simple structure, high efficiency, and high thrust density at low speed. In this article, a novel fractional pole-pair linear permanent magnet Vernier machine (FP-LPMVM) is proposed, which gives more freedom in the design of the LPMVM to reduce the force ripple of the machine. The operation and force ripple reduction principles of the FP-LPMVM are also given in this article with the help of analytical equations. It is found that some of the proposed FP-LPMVM exhibit inherent good performances such as high EMF symmetry and low thrust ripple due to the combining of the flux modulation effect and the FP-LPMVM. In order to verify the theoretical analysis in this article, two LPMVM prototypes (i.e., 12 slots 20 poles integer pole-pair LPMVM and 18 slots 29 poles fractional pole-pair LPMVM) are manufactured, tested, and compared with each other. The experimental results are consistent with the FEA results, and the validity of the analysis and the superiorities of the proposed FP-LPMVM are verified.