536 ELECTROMECHANICS
Solution(a) The force in the air gap can be expressed byf=−1
2φ^2dR
dx(See Example 12.4.2.) The gap reluctance, which in this case is due to the nonmagnetic
bushing, is given byR= 2 Rg=2 lg
μ 0 axwhere the areaaxis variable, depending on the position of the plunger, andlgis the
thickness of the bushing on either side of the plunger. The air-gap magnetic flux is given
byφ=F
R=Ni
R=μ 0 Niax
2 lgNow,
dR
dx=d
dx(
2 lg
μ 0 ax)
=− 2 lg
μ 0 ax^2The force is then given byf=−1
2φ^2dR
dx=−1
2(
μ 0 Niax
2 lg) 2 (
− 2 lg
μ 0 ax^2)orf=1
4μ 0 a
lg(N i)^2which is independent of the positionx, and is a constant for a given exciting mmf and
geometry.
(b) Forx=a=1cm= 0 .01 m,f=kx= 1 × 0. 01 =1
44 π× 10 −^7 × 0. 01
0. 001( 100 i)^2ori^2 =4 × 0. 001 × 0. 01
4 π× 10 −^7 × 0. 011
( 100 )^2= 0. 3182ori= 0 .564 AThe student should recognize the practical importance of determining the approximate
mmf or current requirements for electromechanical transducers.