| an electric motor in which a movable part moves in a straight line, with power being supplied by a varying magnetic field set up by a fixed part of the system, as a metal rail on the ground. |
| Main Entry: | linear motor |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | any motor in which the motion between the rotor and stator is linear due to electromagnetism, which provides thrust in a straight line by direct induction instead of through gears; also called [linear induction motor] |
| Example: | Linear motors are used in Vancouver's rapid transit system. |
linear motor
power source providing electric traction in a straight line, rather than rotary, as in a conventional motor; it is useful in such applications as high-speed ground transportation. In one form designed for rail vehicles, a continuous stationary conductor is fastened to the roadbed and a double stator is suspended between the wheels in the centre of the vehicle, straddling the stationary conductor. Electric energy is generated on the vehicle or is picked up by trolley from a power line paralleling the track. This energy is fed to the double stator to produce traction in a linear direction.
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