Power density improvement of three phase flux reversal machine with distributed winding

The three phase flux reversal machine (FRM) is a doubly salient permanent magnet machine with concentrated windings. This study proposes the distributed winding for this machine. This winding (i.e. full pitch winding) offers high-power density and improves the efficiency. The permanent magnet (PM) flux linking the stator winding has effectively two or four pole flux pattern, which depends on the number of stator poles and independent of number of rotor poles. Finite element method (FEM) analysis is performed on the concentrated stator pole winding FRM (CSPFRM) and proposed full pitch winding FRM (FPFRM) to obtain induced EMF, flux linkages and inductance of the winding. The inductance of both machines is also obtained using winding function approach and compared with FEM results. The effect of armature reaction is compensated by capacitive series compensation to improve the voltage regulation. FEM analysis is also carried out on both the compensated generators to evaluate the power density. Speed of the flux pattern and that of the rotor is different in FRM. The ratio of these two speeds is termed as fictitious 'electrical gear'. FRM and permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) have sinusoidal terminal voltage and surface mounted PMs. The power density of both machines is compared using the concept of fictitious `electrical gear?. To verify the above analysis, a 6/14 pole FRM with distributed and concentrated winding is designed and fabricated. The experimental results are in close agreement with simulated results.     

A Quantitative Comparative Analysis of a Novel Flux-Modulated Permanent-Magnet Motor for Low-Speed Drive

A novel low-speed flux-modulated (FM) permanent-magnet (PM) motor that breaks the traditional design rule, which stipulates that the number of stator pole pairs and the number of rotor pole pairs must be the same, is proposed. The FM motor has a special physical structure with iron segments in the air gap to modulate the magnetic field. In the design, the free space between adjacent stationary iron segments also acts as ventilating ducts to help improving the heat dissipation and ventilation of the motor. Its cogging torque is very small. In this paper, a rule for comparing the power density of electric motors is proposed. The performance of the FM motor is compared with those of a magnetic-geared PM motor, a traditional PM motor, and a fractional-slot PM motor by using magnetic field finite-element analysis.     

新型双馈变速凸极同步电机

提出一种新型双馈变速凸极同步电机,阐述了它的基本原理和结构,电机的转子采用分裂磁极和正交绕组, 结构简单、可靠。转子绕组由低频交流变频电源供电,使电机具有变速恒频的特性。通过原型样机的试验,验证了该项发明的正确性和实用性,它将在大型水电、风电中得到广泛应用。     

定子永磁型高速电机凸极转子强度分析

定子永磁型电机具有转子上既无永磁体也无绕组、功率密度高、效率高等优点,因此非常适合在高速下工作。然而由于凸极转子复杂的几何形状,对其强度进行分析只能采用有限元法等数值方法。基于弹性力学理论,建立了凸极转子强度的解析分析模型。分析了凸极转子的载荷分布,在此基础上,基于平面应力模型和应力函数法,推导了定子永磁型电机凸极转子的应力及变形的解析解;用有限元法对解析解的有效性进行了验证;分析了凸极转子的凸极高度及形状对转子强度的影响。结果表明,建立的凸极转子强度解析解在转子应力最大区域内的计算结果与有限元法的计算结果完全吻合,能够对定子永磁型高速电机凸极转子的最大应力进行精确分析,可为定子永磁型高速电机的转子设计提供支持。     

Design and analysis of full pitch winding and concentrated stator pole winding three-phase flux reversal machine for low speed application

The flux reversal machine (FRM) is a doubly-salient stator permanent magnet machine with flux linkage reversal in the stator concentrated winding. The existing machines at low speed, low power (2·4 kW, 300 rpm) range are not economical. FRM topology is best suited for this application. An attempt has been made to improve the power density of machine by introducing full pitch winding. Full pitch winding FRM (FPFRM) has higher power density than the conventional concentrated stator pole winding FRM (CSPFRM). Design and comparative analysis of FPFRM and CSPFRM are made. Both machines are designed for 88·58 Nm and 300 rpm. Design details of both machines are presented. Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis is carried out to evaluate and compare the performance of CSPFRM and FPFRM. Series capacitive compensation is provided for better voltage regulation of both machines.     

Comparison of synchronous PM machine types for wide constant-power speed operation: converter performance

A thorough comparison of the converter performance characteristics for four permanent magnet (PM) synchronous machine configurations is presented. Two versions of an interior PM (IPM) machine with distributed windings are included. One version has a maximum back-EMF limit at the top speed while the second does not have any constraint on back-EMF amplitude. Two types of surface PM (SPM) machines are also considered, one with fractional-slot concentrated windings, and another with conventional distributed windings. The target application is an automotive direct-drive starter/alternator requiring a very wide 10:1 constant power speed ratio (CPSR). Detailed comparisons of the converter performance below and above the base speed are presented, evaluating significant issues, including the converter switching and conduction losses, output ripple current, and DC-link current ripple. Study results show that the higher excitation frequencies required by PM machines with high pole numbers have only a modest impact on converter efficiency for comparable output current waveform quality. In constrast, the imposition of maximum back-EMF amplitude constraints at top speed raise the machine rated current, resulting in elevated converter losses and larger DC-link capacitors     

Using Modular Poles for Shape Optimization of Flux Density Distribution in Permanent-Magnet Machines

A modular configuration for a type of permanent-magnet pole is proposed for use in permanent-magnet (PM) machines. The pole consists of three or more permanent-magnet pieces. The main objective of this configuration is to shape the air-gap flux density distribution produced by the pole. An optimization procedure based on an analytical model is then used to determine the optimal pole specifications. A finite-element method is finally carried out to evaluate the proposed configuration. Extensive investigations on a linear permanent-magnet motor demonstrate that the proposed configuration reduces flux density as well as back electromotive force harmonics. This pole configuration also results in more efficient use of PM materials.      

A Compact Superconducting Motor with Novel Stator Windings for Vehicle Applications

The aim of this paper is to investigate how compact a superconducting motor can achieve the same performance as a conventional permanent magnet (PM) motor. A design of superconducting motor is proposed and the performance is calculated to meet the specifications of a conventional PM machine while keeping the size of the superconducting motor as compact as possible. The proposed superconducting motor uses YBCO racetrack coil on the stator and bulk superconductors on the rotor. The operating temperature is 22 K and liquid hydrogen is chosen as the agent. A numerical model is developed to calculate the performance of this motor and the results show that it is able to deliver a power at 118 kW and a torque at 622 N m with a total volume as compact as 1.5 liter. The torque and power densities of this superconducting motor are compared with those of the PM motor and the boundary performance of volume reduction that can be achieved by substituting conventional copper and permanent magnets by superconducting materials is discussed.     

FE-based physical phase variable model of PM synchronous machines under stator winding short circuit faults

An FE-based physical phase variable model is proposed for PM machines under stator short-circuit faults. The parameters of the proposed model, inductances and back EMFs are determined using the FE-circuit coupled computation of the machine under the same type of fault. The parameters obtained include information on the fault location and the number of turns involved, in addition to the space harmonics and the effects of stator saturation. The FE-based phase variable model that has been developed is verified through comparison with the FE model. The significance of the work is that it introduces a feasible procedure to build a physically accurate and computationally fast phase variable model for PM machines under stator short-circuit fault conditions. Such a model is useful for the study of fault diagnosis and prognosis     

Modeling switched-reluctance Machines by decomposition of double magnetic saliencies

This paper presents a novel analytical model for a switched-reluctance machine (SRM) based on decomposition of its inherent double joint magnetic saliencies due to rotor and stator salient poles and saturation of magnetic field at high stator currents. With this method, the magnetic characteristics of the motor, such as flux linkage and incremental inductance, are decomposed to vector functions of rotor position and phase current. Dynamic state and torque equations for the SRM are derived on the basis of this representation. The proposed model is appropriate for online identification and for sensorless position control algorithms. It is easy to implement and computationally efficient. Comparison of the predicted motor magnetic characteristics to machine data from finite-element analysis verifies the accuracy of the model.     

Wind-driven stand-alone DFIG with battery and pumped hydro storage system

A wind-driven doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) along with the battery and pumped hydro storage plant (PHSP) has been devised for supplying isolated loads. PHSP-based storage system is economical and viable for the MW level wind-turbine system. The proposed scheme employs a squirrel-cage induction machine (SCIM) coupled with reversible pump turbine for PHSP. The battery storage is also included in this system to cope up with the intermittent nature of wind and fast-changing load. A simple control strategy has been implemented for maintaining the set values of voltage magnitude and frequency at the stator terminals of DFIG, which serve as a virtual grid for connecting ac loads and SCIM. Based on the availability of power in the wind, PHSP and battery, various operating modes of the proposed system have been clearly identified for supplying the isolated loads. These operating modes are clearly demonstrated through the analysis developed for this purpose and validated through experimental results. The salient features of the proposed system over the existing stand-alone wind-driven generators are (i) structural simplicity, i.e., employing only one power electronic converter, (ii) wide speed operation of wind-driven DFIG, (iii) reduced battery capacity, (iv) high energy storage using PHSP and (v) availability of continuous power to the isolated loads.     

Machining conditions-based preventive maintenance

In this study we propose an operating conditions-based preventive maintenance (PM) approach for computer numerical control (CNC) turning machines. A CNC machine wears according to how much it is used and the conditions under which it is used. Higher power or production rates result in more wear and higher failure rates. This relationship between the operating conditions and maintenance requirements is usually overlooked in the literature. On CNC turning machines we can control the machining conditions such as cutting speed and feed rate, which in turn affect the PM requirements of the CNC machine. We provide a new model to link the PM decisions to the machining conditions selection decisions, so that these two decision-making problems can be solved together by considering their impact on each other. We establish that our proposed geometric programming model captures the related cost terms along with the technological restrictions of CNC machines. The proposed preventive maintenance index function can be used to provide an intelligent CNC machine degradation assessment.     

Semi-analytical method for determining d-axis synchronous generator parameters using the dc step voltage test

The DC step voltage experiment is an alternative and non-destructive time-domain test to extract parameters from electrical machines that follows the standstill frequency response test procedure described in IEEE standard 115A. This work presents a new method for semi-analytically determining the characteristic parameters of the d-axis synchronous machine model. The test is carried out when the machine is at rest and the rotor's position is at d-axis; a DC-controlled power source is applied suddenly at two of the three terminals of the stator machine and the field circuit is short-circuited. Test measurements of d-axis stator voltage excitation and field and d-axis stator current responses were used. Both stator and field current patterns are simultaneously fitted to exponential functions which coefficients are analytically related to the d-axis characteristic parameters of the equivalent circuit. These characteristic parameters come from the conventional two transfer functions: direct-axis operational inductance L_d(s) and the armature to field transfer function sG(s). To validate the proposed methodology, test data is used in the d-axis parameter determination of a 7 kVA, 220 V, 60 Hz synchronous generator     

Comparison between vibration and stator current analysis for the detection of bearing faults in asynchronous drives

This study deals with the application of vibration and motor current spectral analysis for the monitoring of rolling bearings damage in asynchronous drives. Vibration measurement is widely used to detect faulty bearings operations. However, this approach is expensive and cannot always be performed, while electrical quantities such as the machine stator current are often already measured for control and detection purposes. Signal processing methods and global indicators associated with bearing fault detection of vibration measurements are recalled. Compared to these methods, an automatic detector based on vibration spectral energy extraction is then proposed and its performances are discussed. Moreover, load torque measurements underlines that bearing faults also induce mechanical load torque oscillations. Therefore a theoretical stator current model in case of load torque oscillations is used to demonstrate the presence of phase modulation (PM) on stator currents. Frequency behaviour of the related sideband components is strongly investigated for monitoring purposes. Thus, a fault detector using the extraction of spectral energy of stator current is proposed to detect damaged bearings. This detector is then compared to the one defined on vibration signals.     

Analysis of electromagnetic performance of flux-switching permanent-magnet Machines by nonlinear adaptive lumped parameter magnetic circuit model

A nonlinear adaptive lumped parameter magnetic circuit model is developed to predict the electromagnetic performance of a flux-switching permanent-magnet machine. It enables the air-gap field distribution, the back-electromotive force (back-EMF) waveform, the winding inductances, and the electromagnetic torque to be calculated. Results from the model are compared with finite-element predictions and validated experimentally. The influence of end effects is also investigated, and optimal design parameters, such as the rotor pole width, the stator tooth width, and the ratio of the inner to outer diameter of the stator, are discussed.     

Weight optimisation of a salient pole synchronous generator by a new genetic algorithm validated by finite element analysis

In this study, a new approach for genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed and compared with conventional GA (CGA) in the weight optimisation of a 2-MVA salient pole synchronous machine. The main differences between the two algorithms are that, in the newly proposed method, individuals are paired and crossed over based on the Mendelian rules of genetics, and the mutation operator is omitted. The rules concern the segregation of Alleles and the independent assortment of Alleles. This approach is comprehensive and conceptually accurate since its framework uses Mendelian population genetics. The operation CPU time is longer in the new approach when compared to the conventional one but can be ignored in electric machine design since it is not a real-time process. The results of the analytic solution and the new and CGA implementation methods are compared in terms of weight, efficiency and temperature. The results obtained are similar to those of the conventional ones and even better in some cases. A finite element analysis (FEA) is done to realise the machine designs optimised by the new GA (NGA) and CGA for the case of a fixed 24-pole design. Hence the improvement over CGA achieved by NGA has been validated through FEA.     

Harmonics reduction in standalone DFIG-DC system by shunt active filter controlled in stator flux reference frame

The presence of diode rectifier in standalone Doubly Fed Induction Generator-Direct Current (DFIG-DC) system leads to considerable current, voltage and torque harmonics and requires reactive power from the machine. A unique shunt active filter arrangement is proposed for addressing these requirements. The DC Link of DFIG-DC itself acts as input to shunt active filter and there is no requirement of creating and regulating a separate one. Since the stator flux reference frame is known in FOC of DFIG-DC system; the same can be used as PLL for the generation of current references for harmonics and reactive compensation in active filter control scheme. Hence, the AC voltage sensing is not needed in the proposed active filter control. In this paper, it is shown that current, voltage and torque harmonics are reduced with the help of shunt active filter, which have lower rating compared to the rotor side converter. The proposed scheme is verified by detailed experiments on a 5.5 kW slip-ring induction machine.     

Dynamic control of the permanent magnet-assisted reluctance synchronous machine

A digital signal processor-based control system for the permanent magnet-assisted reluctance synchronous machine, with the emphasis on dynamic performance, is proposed. A classical design approach is used to design the current and speed controllers for the machine. The stator current of the machine is controlled in such a way that the current angle in the dq synchronous reference frame is constant. The load-torque is estimated using a state space observer and compensation current based on the estimated load is used to improve the dynamic performance of the drive. The control system design is machine specific as it relies on data from finite-element analysis. Simulated and measured results on a 110-kW power level show that the resulting control system is stable and robust with good dynamic performance     

Research on Torque Calculation Method of Permanent-Magnet Spherical Motor Based on the Finite-Element Method

In this paper, the finite-element method (FEM) is used to calculate the spinning torque of the permanent-magnet (PM) spherical motor. Three-dimensional (3-D) FE model of the PM spherical motor is established. Spinning torque distribution on the spherical surface and its variation curve on the equator are obtained respectively. In order to avoid the complicated torque calculation process under 3-D magnetic field and thus reduce the computational burden, the torque calculation method based on the 2-D conversion model is proposed. This method equivalently simplifies the magnetic field of the spherical PMs and the shape of cylindrical stator windings to be simulation parameters of the 2-D conversion model. With these parameters, 2-D conversion model of the PM spherical motor is established. Spinning torque variation curves obtained by the 3-D model and the 2-D conversion model respectively are compared and the results agree extremely well. By comparing the maximum static torque (MST) obtained under different configuration parameters of the PM spherical motor, it is found that the errors are within the allowable range. Therefore, the reliability of the proposed torque calculation method in the paper is verified. Finally, based on the 2-D conversion model, variation curves of the MST with the length of the air gap, the ampere turns, the length of stator windings and the outer radius of stator windings are obtained, and they are validated by those based on the 3-D model. These results can provide the basis for the optimization of the PM spherical motor.      

Three-Dimensional Magnetic Effects in Permanent-Magnet Magnet Synchronous Machines

This paper presents the results of an investigation of the three-dimensional (3-D) magnetic effects in permanent-magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs). Using 3-D finite-element analysis, effects of geometry and also a high-frequency excitation on the magnetic parameters of the machine have been studied. According to our findings, high-frequency phenomena come into effect at excitation frequencies of the order of a few kilohertz, which is not uncommon when the machine is operated at super high speeds. Our results show that normalized torque productivity is a function of stack length and an increase in stack length results in an increased torque density. It is also observed that an increase in excitation frequency decreases the self inductance of the stator windings while the phase difference between the flux linkage and magnetomotive force increases. This is a significant finding, especially the shift in the phase of the air gap flux, as it has a direct impact on the accuracy of the controller that drives the PMSM under field-oriented control. Another significant observation was the reduction in the induced voltage (back electromotive force) in a search coil located in the stator slots at high frequencies. Such observations mandate the use of 3-D analysis of machine geometry to optimize performance throughout the machine's speed range.