Structural Optimization of a Magnetic Actuator with Simultaneous Consideration of Thermal and Magnetic Performances

This paper suggests an optimal structure design to enhance the magnetic actuator performance. During the operation of the actuator, heat generated by coils reduces the device efficiency. Therefore, the design objective must be set to decrease the coil temperature as well as to increase the magnetic actuating force. A C-shaped actuator was selected as a design target and the structural optimization scheme based on the phase field method was adopted to obtain the optimal shape. The simulation and optimization process was performed using the commercial package COMSOL associated with the MATLAB programming. Design results were also verified by the experiments focused on the effect in the magnetic field.