Method for determining an air gap between a transport rotor and a stator segment aided by an automation device

An automation device configured to determine an air gap between a transport rotor and a stator segment, the transport rotor and the stator segment comprising a linear motor unit of a linear-motor-based transport system, the linear motor unit being assigned a force constant, and the stator segment being supplied with a stator current, such that a magnetic field is formed and a propulsion force for propelling the transport rotor is thereby produced, the automation device comprising:

• means for performing an acceleration run of the transport rotor;
• means for measuring a present stator current;
• means for determining actual speed values of the transport rotor, for determining a change in speed per time unit therefrom, and for determining an acceleration therefrom;
• means for determining a present propulsion force from a product of the force constant and the present stator current;
• and
• means for utilizing the present propulsion force and the acceleration to determine a virtual mass of the transport rotor with Newton's equation of motion;
• a test device configured to ascertain a statement about a currently prevailing air gap, the test device being further configured to identify an increase in the virtual mass and to calculate a size value for the air gap utilizing a relationship which describes the increase in the virtual mass and an enlargement of the air gap.