A novel Variable-Reluctance Resolver proposal and its performance analysis under healthy and eccentric cases

A Variable-Reluctance resolver (VR-Resolver) with a novel structure is proposed in this paper as an absolute position sensor, where two possible structures are analyzed. The signals and excitation windings are located on the stator. Hence the slip rings are eliminated in the rotor. The rotor is considered by slot/teeth configuration so the rotor is shaped in a simple variable reluctance structure with a low sensitivity to the manufacturing tolerance. The excitation winding is wound in toroidal configuration that leads to having a smaller fill factor as well as turns can be considered for the windings. Maximum position error (MPE) is evaluated for the proposed resolvers in both healthy and eccentric cases. Therefore, the resolvers performance and their sensitivity to the eccentricity fault are evaluated. A flexible Magnetic Equivalent Circuit (MEC) with adjustable accuracy is used for modeling thanks to its capability and shorter processing time compared to the Finite-Element Method (FEM), where different cases are analyzed by a unique MEC model. Finally, comparison between the MEC and FEM-based results as well as experimental tests are presented to show effeteness of the proposed resolver as an accurate absolute position sensor for industries applications.