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A Planar Electromagnetic Actuator With Passive Adsorption for CubeSats Transport in a Weightless Environment

  • Yong Zhao
  • , Honghao Yue*
  • , Jianguo Zhu
  • , Xiao Ze Yang
  • *Corresponding author for this work
  • School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology
  • The University of Sydney

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A planar electromagnetic actuator (PEA) with passive adsorption is proposed to transport multiple miniature satellites (CubeSats) in a weightless environment. It can realize reliable mover adsorption to the track and fast 2-Dof translational motion, even under the interference of external acceleration. Compared with the conventional layout of permanent magnets (PMs), the PEA with the structure of Halbach array can achieve higher force density. The magnetic equivalent circuits (MEC) method is applied to reveal the mechanism of electromagnetic performance improvement. An accurate electromagnetic force model is developed by combining the MEC and mirror magnetic charge methods to consider the positive effects of yokes on the PM operating point and airgap magnetic field distribution for PEAs with large airgaps. The influence of main structural parameters on adsorption and driving performances is analyzed. A kinetic model is derived to predict the mover velocity. A PEA prototype has been manufactured and tested to experimentally validate the improved models, electromagnetic performance, and motion characteristics.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)10396-10408
Number of pages13
JournalIEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics
Volume70
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Oct 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • High force density
  • magnetic field
  • passive adsorption
  • planar electromagnetic actuator (PEA)
  • planar motion

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