New Type of Linear Magnetostrictive Motor Designed for Outer Space Applications, from Concept to End-Product
Lucian Pîslaru-Dănescu,
Alexandru-Mihail Morega,
Rareş-Andrei Chihaia,
Ionel Popescu,
Mihaela Morega,
Lică Flore,
Marius Popa,
Eros-Alexandru Pătroi
Affiliations
Lucian Pîslaru-Dănescu
Laboratory of Sensors/Actuators and Energy Harvesting, National Institute for Research and Development in Electrical Engineering ICPE-CA, 030138 Bucharest, Romania
Alexandru-Mihail Morega
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Rareş-Andrei Chihaia
Renewable Sources and Energy Efficiency Department, National Institute for Research and Development in Electrical Engineering ICPE-CA, 030138 Bucharest, Romania
Ionel Popescu
Research Department, Institute for Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Aeronautical-Astronautics Structures, 061126 Bucharest, Romania
Mihaela Morega
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania
Lică Flore
Defense Systems Department, National Research and Development Institute for Gas Turbines COMOTI, 061126 Bucharest, Romania
Marius Popa
Electromechanical Systems and Technologies Department, National Institute for Research and Development in Electrical Engineering ICPE-CA, 030138 Bucharest, Romania
Eros-Alexandru Pătroi
Magnetic Materials and Applications Department, National Institute for Research and Development in Electrical Engineering ICPE-CA, 030138 Bucharest, Romania
The use of the linear magnetostrictive motor (LMM) in outer space, in the absence of Earth’s gravitational field and where extreme temperatures manifest, involves innovative technical solutions that result in significant construction changes. This paper highlights these constructive changes and presents the mathematical modeling followed by the numerical simulation of different operating regimes of LMM. The novelty of the design resides in using a bias coil instead, in addition to permanent magnets, to magnetize the magnetostrictive core and pulse width modulated (PWM) power sources to control the two coils of the LMM (bias and activation). The total absorbed current is less than 2 A, which results in the reduction of Joule losses. Moreover, a PWM source is provided to power and control a set of three Peltier elements aimed at cooling the device. The experiments validate the design of the LMM, which elicits it to power and control devices that may modulate fuel injection for rocket engines or for machines used to adjust positioning on circumterrestrial orbits.
