How Linear Induction Motors Work
The Linear Induction Motor is essentially a circular motor opened out flat. The magnetic field, instead of rotating, now sweeps across the flat motor face.
The stator generally consists of a multi phase winding in a laminated iron core. When energized from an AC supply a travelling wave magnetic field is produced. Travel can be reversed by swapping two phases.
The reaction plate is the equivalent of the rotor. For single sided applications this is usually a conductive sheet of aluminium or copper backed by steel, and for double sided applications only a conductive sheet is used.
Currents induced in the reaction plate by the stator travelling field create a secondary magnetic field. It is the reaction between these two fields which produces the linear thrust.