Characterization of the Rotor Magnetic Field in a Brushless Doubly-Fed Induction Machine

The large increase in wind generation could improve the final development of wind systems with brushless doubly-fed induction machines (BDFIM) as an alternative to the doubly-fed asynchronous machines. For this reason, a detailed study of several aspects of the BDFIM design, as well as of its rotor configuration, is absolutely essential. In this paper, the authors present an alternative formulation of the BDFIM operating principle in synchronous mode. Besides the basic equation of the machine operation, it presents as main advantage the precise characterization of all the magnetic field components in a BDFIM with idealized stator windings and an idealized rotor cage. Based on this formulation, the paper provides a standard that may be used to compare the fields created by different real BDFIMs. This standard has been validated by laboratory tests.      

Electromagnetic design and optimization of dual‐stator brushless doubly‐fed wind power generator with cage‐barrier rotor

This paper explores the feasibility of an intuitive solution torque density for the existing brushless doubly‐fed generator by dual‐stator and cage‐barrier rotor structure, so as to better adapt to the offshore wind power generation. The torque density of electrical machine is related to the key design parameters, such as the machine main dimensions, slot‐pole combinations, coupling between stator and rotor, and nonmagnetic ring thickness. According to working principles and design requirements of electrical machine, the dual‐stator brushless doubly‐fed wind power generator (DSBDFWPG) with cage‐barrier rotor is designed, and the key parameters relating to torque density are analyzed and discussed. Meanwhile, the main parameters of electrical machine are optimized by Taguchi method, such as air‐gap length and nonmagnetic ring thickness. On this basis, the performance parameters of DSBDFWPG are analyzed by finite element method, which is verified by experimental tests. Through analysis of the results, not only the design requirements are satisfied by the DSBDFWPG, but also the correctness and rationality of machine design method can also be verified. Finally, the torque density and other aspects of designed DSBDFWPG are compared with dual‐stator brushless doubly‐fed induction generator, doubly‐fed induction generator, asynchronous machine, and brushless doubly‐fed generator; it demonstrates the torque density improvement of the studied machine with its significance and value.     

A generalized 3-D dynamic modelling for transverse flux homopolarlinear machines based on statistical saliency-effect superpositionmethod

This paper presents a prototype of a transverse flux homopolar linear machine system, along with a systematic and generalized 3-D approach which is capable of analyzing three kinds of these linear machines: the transverse flux linear induction machine; the homopolar linear synchronous machine; and the transverse flux linear reluctance machine; all in one compact mathematical model. A novel methodology which combines the state-space technique with the statistical saliency effect superposition method is proposed. With such a detailed and generalized modelling approach, the capability of analyzing the saliency effects induced by the distributed windings in practical linear machine systems is enhanced, and the representations of all the related linear machine system equations can be manipulated in compact matrix forms. Experimental verifications confirm that this comprehensive theoretical approach is a convenient and reliable mathematical basis for computer-aided analysis and design studies on linear machine systems     

Comparison study of rotor structures of doubly excited brushlessreluctance machine by finite element analysis

Doubly excited brushless reluctance machine (DEBRM) has gained much attention in the area of variable-speed constant-frequency generating systems and adjustable speed drives. Two types of reluctance rotor structure, axially laminated and simple salient rotors, are suggested in the DEBRM development. Due to the unconventional pole number combination of the stator and rotor, performance evaluation of the DEBRM with different rotor structures is difficult. A comparison study of two rotor structures of the DEBRM is presented in this paper by finite element analysis. It is shown that by calculating selfand mutual-flux linkage of the dual stator windings as the function of rotor positions, performance of the complicated DEBRM can be evaluated conveniently. Various advantages and disadvantages of the DEBRM associated with the two rotor structures are also discussed     

A control scheme to enhance low voltage ride‐through of brushless doubly‐fed induction generators

The use of brushless doubly‐fed induction generator has been recently proposed for wind turbines because of its variable speed operation with fractional size converter without the need to brush and slip ring. This paper introduces a control scheme to improve low voltage ride‐through capability of doubly‐fed induction generator considering grid code requirements. The proposed control strategy is based on analysis of flux linkages and back electromotive forces and intends to retain the control‐winding current below the safety limit (typically 2 pu) during severe voltage dips. The time‐domain simulations validate effectiveness of the proposed scheme to protect the converter against failure as well as support reactive power required by German grid code. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Transient model of a doubly excited reluctance motor

A transient machine model of a doubly fed reluctance motor is derived by means of winding function and d-q transformation theory. The machine consists of a double-wound stator with four and eight pole sets. The rotor is equipped with six poles. The machine, related to the Hunt motor, has the synchronous speed of a twelve-pole machine. Comparison of simulated results to test results indicates that the higher harmonics in the motor inductances are important for predicting the current waveform     

Transient performance study of a brushless doubly fed twin stator induction generator

This paper presents theoretical, simulation, and experimental study of the brushless doubly fed twin stator induction generator (BDFTSIG) dynamics under vector control based on the orientation on the power machine stator flux. A complex transfer function is derived which links the control current and power winding current space vectors in the field coordinates. Based on this result, the transient response of the BDFTSIG to step changes in the control current is examined theoretically. The oscillatory transients are explained in detail and linked to control flux transients triggered whenever operation point of the generator is changed. Furthermore, BDFTSIG operation with closed loop control of the power machine active and reactive powers is examined theoretically and experimentally. It is shown that in the closed loop operation, the system damping may be reduced so that the PI controller gains must be properly selected to achieve a good transient response.     

Starting of three-phase reluctance motors connected to a singlephase supply

An analysis of the starting process of a three-phase reluctance motor when fed from a single-phase supply is presented. This analysis is aimed, mainly, at the determination of the variations in the different machine parameters as it pulls into synchronism. Special attention is given to the calculation of both the positive and negative sequence impedances. These impedances play an important role in the proper selection of the phase converter capacitance needed for ensuring satisfactory operation. For this purpose, the symmetrical component concept along with classical synchronous machine theory have been effectively employed. The devised mathematical model could also help in studying the asynchronous operation of synchronous machines when fed from either three-phase or single-phase power supplies. The effect of the value of the selected phase converter capacitance on the performance of the reluctance motor during starting and normal running conditions is investigated     

A novel method for modeling dynamic air-gap eccentricity insynchronous machines based on modified winding function theory

This paper presents the modeling of synchronous machines under eccentric rotors. The winding function theory accounting for all space harmonics and presented by earlier researchers has been modified to adopt a nonsymmetric air-gap for the calculation of machine winding inductances. The effect of dynamic air-gap eccentricity on the inductances of a salient-pole synchronous machine using the modified winding function approach (MWFA) has been discussed. The coupled magnetic circuits approach has been used for simulating the machine behavior under healthy and eccentric rotor conditions. The simulation results are in close agreement with the experimental results     

“Two-phase on” drive operation in a permanent magnetsynchronous machine electromechanical actuator

Brushless machine technology provides a new and feasible option for high-power actuation applications historically serviced by hydraulic devices. Two types of brushless permanent magnet machines exist: the brushless DC machine and the permanent magnet synchronous machine. While the brushless DC machine is ideally suited for operation with a “two-phase on” drive, the permanent magnet synchronous machine is ideally suited for operation with a “three-phase on” drive. Within this paper, the impact of the torque ripple induced by using a “two-phase on” drive with the permanent magnet synchronous machine is examined for viability, though not compared with the “three-phase on” drive. The focus application is thrust vector control of the Space Shuttle Main Engines, and test results indicate that such operation is acceptable     

Dynamic Behavior of the Doubly Fed Induction Generator During Three-Phase Voltage Dips

The use of doubly fed induction generators (DFIGs) in large wind turbines has become quite common over the last few years. These machines provide variable speed and are driven with a power converter which is sized for a small percentage of the turbine-rated power. A drawback of the DFIG is that it is very sensitive to grid disturbances, especially to voltage dips. However, the operation of the machine in these situations has only been studied in the literature by means of simulations. This paper develops a theoretical analysis of the dynamic behavior of the induction machine during three-phase voltage dips. The proposed analysis contributes to understanding the causes of the problem and represents a very useful tool to improve the existing solutions and propose new alternatives. Experimental results are in good agreement with those obtained theoretically and validate the proposed analysis.     

Rotor design optimization of synchronous reluctance machine

It is demonstrated that the rotor design of synchronous reluctance machines can be optimized in terms of a key geometric parameter, i.e., the ratio of the rotor insulation width to the rotor iron width so as to obtain maximum torque production. The equation which gives the maximum motor power factor in terms of the saliency ratio has been derived and it is shown that the power factor of 0.8 is a realizable value with the optimal rotor design. An experimental motor has been fabricated and the results of measurements of the motor parameters prove the validity of the rotor design optimization     

Bidirectional starting of a symmetrical two-phase switchedreluctance machine

The mechanical and electrical properties of the two-phase 4/2 switched reluctance machine make it suitable for high-speed operation. Its adoption in such applications has been hindered by a perceived starting problem especially if starting in both directions is required. A starting technique is proposed which exploits the natural magnetic asymmetry in the symmetrical machine geometry and provides for bidirectional torque production at start-up. The approach utilizes mutual coupling in the machine, an effect not previously identified for starting. The technique requires no modifications to either stator or rotor poles, and is suitable for fan applications which require only low starting torques. The starting technique is described and tested with nonoriented silicon steel and GOSS rotors, and starting torque from machine experimentally determined     

Effects of eccentricities on shaft signals studied throughwindingless rotors

Shaft signals of electric rotating machines offer potentials for defect detection. The signals are affected by many factors. This study specifically focuses on how eccentricities affect shaft signals through theoretical predictions and tests conducted on windingless rotors. Windingless rotors imply currentless rotors. For symmetrical synchronous machines running at steady synchronous speeds, the induced rotor currents are zero, while harmonics are neglected. One advantage in experiments for this study is that air gaps can be shimmed accurately at standstill without end brackets; certain tests can be conducted at standstill without facing unmanageable locked-rotor currents for the test machines. Shaft signals decrease when the rotor of a machine closely situates at the center of stator bore. Shaft signals increase under greater eccentricities when stator and rotor axes are parallel. Tilted rotors reduce shaft signals. Even when there are no rotor windings, inherent positional characteristics exists. This characteristic produces cyclic shaft-signal components that are related to rotor revolutions     

Comparison between the steady-state performance of self-excitedreluctance and induction generators

A comparison of the steady-state performance of self-excited reluctance and induction generators is presented. Segmental and salient-rotors are built to suit the stator of a three-phase induction machine. The machine is operated in the two modes of generation. Results from computer models for no-load and load conditions are confirmed with experimental results. The results of the two generation modes are compared. It is shown that the reluctance generator has an equal chance of being used for wind-power generation. In addition, it has the advantage of operating at a fixed frequency. Although both types of rotors may be used, better performance is obtained from segmental-rotors     

On the use of singular perturbations to neglect the dynamic saliency of synchronous machines

A common approximation used in the analysis of power systems is the neglect of the dynamic saliency in synchronous machines. In this paper, it is shown that eliminating the error associated with neglecting dynamic saliency can be accomplished with the addition of a singular perturbation(s) into the machine model. By considering the elimination of error in such a way, singular-perturbation-based model-order-reduction techniques are used to derive detailed- and reduced-order models of synchronous machines where dynamic saliency is eliminated with zero error and no added numerical cost.     

Dynamic simulation of brushless doubly-fed machines

Dynamic and steady-state models for the simulation of the performance of experimental brushless doubly-fed machines (BDFM) are presented. The dynamic simulation results are obtained using a two-axis representation which has been developed from a detailed machine design model. In turn, it is shown that several forms of steady-state equivalent circuit can be developed from the two-axis model for different specific modes of operation. Test data in dynamic conditions are compared with the predictions given by the two-axis model. It is concluded that these simplified models will provide adequate representation of full performance for control, stability, and scoping studies     

Comparison of Stator-Mounted Permanent-Magnet Machines Based on a General Power Equation

The stator-mounted permanent-magnet (SMPM) machines have some advantages compared with its counterparts, such as simple rotor, short winding terminals, and good thermal dissipation conditions for magnets. In this paper, a general power equation for three types of SMPM machine is introduced first, and then, power equations considering the specific topologies are derived. Based on these power equations, theoretical comparisons are carried out between various types of the SMPM machines. In all, eight topologies have been presented and benchmarked. It reveals that the flux switching permanent-magnet (PM) machine owns higher power density than the flux reversal PM machine and the doubly salient PM machine under same outer diameter. The comparison based on the power equation has established a foundation for optimizing the SMPM machines.      

Fault analysis and excitation requirements for switchedreluctance-generators

Switched reluctance machines (SRMs) are a prime candidate for aerospace starter/generators and various automotive applications. The choice of SRMs for the starter/generator application is driven largely by the perceived reliability and fault tolerance of the machine and its electronics. An analysis of the switched reluctance generator's (SRG) faults and excitation requirements is essential to utilize the full fault tolerance capability of the machine in this application. Thus, research has been undertaken to identify, analyze and simulate the various fault modes of the SRG. This research included an investigation of the generator's excitation requirements with and without faults. The investigation makes it possible to determine the size of the excitation source required during the initial build up of the generator's output voltage and under fault conditions. The SR machine, controller, EMI filter, excitation source, and load were all modeled and integrated into a Matlab-Simulink model in order to analyze the SR generator system