Conference Paper

Due to their highly non-linear characteristics (stemming from salient poles and an operating principle based on reluctance variation), a common trend observed in the literature for Linear Switched Reluctance Actuators (LSRAs) is the pursuit of accurate yet relatively fast position control. With this goal in mind, this work employs Direct Instantaneous Force Control (DIFC), an improved control method that centers its discrete-time operation on the selective (or optimal) choice of an inverter's voltage vector. This consequently implies a quicker and more precise tracking of the reference values for both control variables, that is, electromagnetic force and flux. The chosen case study involved a tri-phase 6/4 LSRA with DIFC, considering Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) for duty ratio optimization. A simulation was conducted in the MATLABs® Simulink environment. The aforementioned non-linear magnetic characteristics are taken into account in the developed analytical model via two lookup tables. These allow a global assessment of the resulting force by detailing flux linkage as well as electromagnetic force, as a function of the actual current values and position information. Additionally, an experimental test bench is explained, and its results are used for validation.