Electromechanical Energy Conversion
The chief advantage of electrical energy over other forms of
energies is the relative ease and high efficiency with which it can be
transmitted over a long distance. Electric energy is seldom available naturally
and is rarely used directly. Its main use is in the form of a transmitting link
for transporting other forms of energy e.g. light, mechanical, heat, sound etc.
From one physical location to another obviously two kinds of energy conversion
devices are needed to convert form one form of energy to the electric form and
to convert it back to original or any other desired form. Our aim in this
article is to understand the devices used for electromechanical energy
conversion.
These devices can be
-
Transducers
for processing and transporting low-energy signals.
-
Production
of force or torque with limited mechanical motion like electromagnets,
actuators, relays etc.
-
Continuous
energy conversion devices like motors, generators for bulk energy conversion
and utilisation.
We concentrate on the principles of electromechanical energy
conversion and the analysis of the devices which accomplish this function.
Emphasis is placed on the analysis of systems which use magnetic fields as the
conversion medium. However, the analytical techniques for electric field
systems are quite similar. The purpose of this analysis is three fold: