Boosting the performance of reluctance actuators with permanent magnets

However, the ever-growing demand for force efficiency inspires more detailed investigations of reluctance actuators, since they scale – in theory – much better with respect to force efficiency, while keeping dissipation low. This Mikroniek article discusses and compares the basics of Lorentz and reluctance actuators, and also compares respective designs modelled for the same specific use case. Overall, it is found that Lorentz actuators are mainly limited by dissipation, and reluctance actuators by magnetic saturation. The performance of a reluctance actuator can be boosted by suppressing the saturation effect with a permanent magnet. This increases force efficiency by 45% for the use case. Finally, it is discussed how permanent magnets can also reduce dissipation of the reluctance actuator. (Image courtesy of Demcon)