Abstract
Total Artificial Hearts (TAHs) are required for the therapy of terminal
heart diseases as heart transplants are only a limited option due to the
available number of donor hearts. For implantation TAHs have to meet
constraints regarding its dimensions, weight, perfusions and electrical
losses. An innovative linear driven TAH is presented, which meets all
constraints except weight. Therefore the geometry of the linear drive is
optimised to reduce its weights while simultaneously limiting the
electrical losses as much as possible. In order to calculate the losses,
this paper introduced a combined calculation chain consisting of FEM
simulations and analytical equations. Based on this chain the linear drive
is optmised by the method of parameter variations. The results yield a
hierachic order of parameters which are most suitable for the weight
reduction of the drive for low losses. By this the weight of the linear
drive is reduced by 25%. As the allowable loss limit is not exceeded yet,
room for further weight reduction achieved by an optimisation of the axial
geomtry parameters is given.
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