Finite Element Analysis of Magnetostrictive Linear Actuator

Magnetostrictive materials have been used for linear actuators due to its large strain, large force output with moderate frequency band in the presence of magnetic field. However their performance analysis is difficult because of nonlinear material behaviors in terms of coupled strain-magnetic field dependence, nonlinear permeability, pre-stress dependence and hysteresis. This paper presents a finite element analysis technique for magnetostrictive linear actuator. To deal with coupled problems and nonlinear behaviors, a simple finite element approach is proposed, which is based on separate magnetic field calculation and displacement simulation. The finite element formulation and an in-house program development are illustrated, and a simulation model is made for a magnetostrictive linear actuator. The fabrication and performance test of the linear actuator are explained, and the performance comparison with simulation result is shown. Since this approach is simple, it can be applied for analyzing magnetostrictive underwater projectors and ultrasonic transducers.