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There is significantly less wear and tear since the thrust force is applied magnetically to the mover, rather than through a mechanical interface. Also, there is no gradient limit.
About
We are one of only a handful of companies worldwide who specialise in the design and optimisation of bespoke, high-power, linear synchronous machines and associated control systems. Linear synchronous machines are a class of electric motors (or generators) that, rather than rotating, directly drive (or capture energy from) backwards and forwards (linear) motion. Our linear motor propulsion technology is, in particular, a key enabler for larger systems within the mining and transport sectors that will have a positive, seriously long-term and significantly disruptive effect on people and the environment. It will enable systems to be more efficient, reliable, safe, robust and cost-effective. For example, since the thrust force is applied magnetically rather than through a mechanical interface, there is significantly less wear-and-tear and there is no gradient limitation due to traction requirements. Unlike with conventional transportation technologies (like road and rail), by using a linear motor one essentially removes the "engine" from the vehicle and places it in the track. Thus, with no engines or onboard fuel, the vehicles can be relatively lightweight and so it is a more efficient process and the cost of the track and infrastructure to support the vehicles is reduced. Linear motors can be thought of as flat, unwrapped versions of traditional rotating electric motors, with the “rotor” attached to the moving component and the stator forming the track. Only a lightweight array of permanent magnets is attached to each vehicle, whereby each vehicle “surfs” a magnetic wave created by the powered portion of the linear motor that forms part of the track and is shared by all of the vehicles. Since it can be ensured that the vehicles move in synchronism with each other or, when required, are independently controllable, a very safe, flexible and reliable system can be achieved. Also, by designing for redundancy, a fault-tolerant and low maintenance transportation solution is possible. Using advanced multi-physics simulation software and our proprietary analytical tools, we design and refine linear synchronous motors for each unique application. Texchange holds several patents on linear synchronous motor design and control, including an efficient means of energising the stator by dividing it into independently-powered segments.