title: Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of an Induction Planar Actuator with Different Secondaries--A Planar Driver Application for Metallic Surface Inspection.
abstract: This paper presents a study on an induction planar actuator concept. The device uses the same principles as a linear induction motor in which the interaction between a travelling magnetic field and a conducting surface produces eddy currents that leads to the generation of a thrust force and can result in movement over a metallic surface. This can benefit the inspection of metallic surfaces based on the driving platform provided by the induction planar actuator. Equations of the magnetic and electric fields are presented and, by means of these equations, the forces involved were calculated. The behaviour of thrust and normal forces was analysed through the equations and by numerical models, and compared with the results obtained by measurements on a device prototype built in the laboratory as part of the study. With relation to the surface under inspection that forms the secondary, three cases were analysed: (1) a double-layered secondary formed by aluminium and ferromagnetic slabs; (2) a single aluminium layer and (3) a single ferromagnetic layer. Theoretical and measured values of thrust and normal forces showed good correlation.
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduate Programme in Electrical Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-190, Brazil. felipe.treviso@ufrgs.br.
authors.forename: Felipe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Treviso
authors.affiliation: Electrical Engineering, Lutheran University of Brazil, Canoas, RS 92425-900, Brazil. marilia.amaral@ulbra.br.
authors.forename: Marilia A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Silveira
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduate Programme in Electrical Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-190, Brazil. aly.flores@ufrgs.br.
authors.forename: Aly F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Flores Filho
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Durban 4041, South Africa. dorrelld@ukzn.ac.za.
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Dorrell
keywords: analytical model; induction planar actuator; linear induction motor; measurement of force; normal force; numerical model; surface inspection; thrust force