Performance comparison of conventional synchronous reluctance machines and PM-assisted types with combined star-delta winding

This paper compares four prototype Synchronous Reluctance Motors (SynRMs) having an identical geometry of iron lamination stacks in the stator and rotor. Two different stator winding layouts are employed: a conventional three-phase star connection and a combined star-delta winding. In addition, two rotors are considered: a conventional rotor without magnets and a rotor with ferrite magnets. The performance of the four SynRMs is evaluated using a two-dimensional (2D) Finite Element Model (FEM). For the same copper volume and current, the combined star-delta-connected stator with Permanent Magnets (PMs) in the rotor corresponds to an approximately 22% increase in the output torque at rated current and speed compared to the conventional machine. This improvement is mainly thanks to adding ferrite PMs in the rotor as well as to the improved winding factor of the combined star-delta winding. The torque gain increases up to 150% for low current. Moreover, the rated efficiency is 93.60% compared to 92.10% for the conventional machine. On the other hand, the impact on the power factor and losses of SynRM when using the star-delta windings instead of the star windings is merely negligible. The theoretical results are experimentally validated using four identical prototype machines with identical lamination stacks but different rotors and winding layouts

On the Modeling, Analysis and Development of PMSM: For Traction and Charging Application

Permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs) are widely implemented commercially available traction motors owing to their high torque production capability and wide operating speed range. However, to achieve significant electric vehicle (EV) global market infiltration in the coming years, the technological gaps in the technical targets of the traction motor must be addressed towards further improvement of driving range per charge of the vehicle and reduced motor weight and cost. Thus, this thesis focuses on the design and development of a novel high speed traction PMSM with improved torque density, maximized efficiency, reduced torque ripple and increased driving range suitable for both traction and integrated charging applications. First, the required performance targets are determined using a drive cycle based vehicle dynamic model, existing literature and roadmaps for future EVs. An unconventional fractional–slot distributed winding configuration with a coil pitch of 2 is selected for analysis due to their short end–winding length, reduced winding losses and improved torque density. For the chosen baseline topology, a non–dominated sorting genetic algorithm based selection of optimal odd slot numbers is performed for higher torque production and reduced torque ripple. Further, for the selected odd slot–pole combination, a novel star–delta winding configuration is modeled and analyzed using winding function theory for higher torque density, reduced spatial harmonics, reduced torque ripple and machine losses. Thereafter, to analyze the motor performance with control and making critical decisions on inter–dependent design parameter variations for machine optimization, a parametric design approach using a novel coupled magnetic equivalent circuit model and thermal model incorporating current harmonics for fractional–slot wound PMSMs was developed and verified. The developed magnetic circuit model incorporates all machine non–linearities including effects of temperature and induced inverter harmonics as well as the space harmonics in the winding inductances of a fractional–slot winding configuration. Using the proposed model with a pareto ant colony optimization algorithm, an optimal rotor design is obtained to reduce the magnet utilization and obtain maximized torque density and extended operating range. Further, the developed machine structure is also analyzed and verified for integrated charging operation where the machine’s winding inductances are used as line inductors for charging the battery thereby eliminating the requirement of an on–board charger in the powertrain and hence resulting in reduced weight, cost and extended driving range. Finally, a scaled–down prototype of the proposed PMSM is developed and validated with experimental results in terms of machine inductances, torque ripple, torque–power–speed curves and efficiency maps over the operating speed range. Subsequently, understanding the capabilities and challenges of the developed scaled–down prototype, a full–scale design with commercial traction level ratings, will be developed and analyzed using finite element analysis. Further recommendations for design improvement, future work and analysis will also be summarized towards the end of the dissertation

High-speed induction motor with an integrated gearbox for propulsion

Induction motors with a planetary gear are a viable option for the transportation industry as they are a relatively inexpensive electric drive solution. Designing a prototype of a high-speed induction motor with a planetary gear is the focus of this project. This will be the proof of concept, to demonstrate a compact and cost-efficient electric drive solution, when compared to electric drives with lower speeds and no gearbox. Using a high-speed electric motor and gearing it down will provide a high torque density and power. A prototype with a high power density and efficiency will provide a competitive alternative to other electric drive solutions. The design choices of the prototype are covered. 3D modeling software is used for the mechanical design that integrates the planetary gear and the induction motor. Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations are completed to determine the final design. The geometry and properties of the induction motor are optimized using FEM. Electromagnetics, torque, and the losses of the induction motor are analyzed. The prototype design presented in this thesis is analyzed to determine the overall efficiency, cost, and feasibility for the transportation industry. The design allows for future development by ensuring easy changes and additions that can be made to the prototype. The development of the high-speed motor should continue with the use of models and design presented in this thesis. The design presented in this thesis is another step towards the final prototype production. The possibilities for future thesis topics and improvements will be discussed at the end of this thesis. One possibility for future development is the use of additive manufacturing to build the induction motor

Hybrid photovoltaic-thermoelectric generator powered synchronous reluctance motor for pumping applications

The interest in photovoltaic (PV) pumping systems has increased, particularly in rural areas where there is no grid supply available. However, both the performance and the cost of the whole system are still an obstacle for a wide spread of this technology. In this article, a hybrid photovoltaic (PV)-thermoelectric generator (TEG) is investigated for pumping applications. The electric drivetrain comprises a synchronous reluctance motor and an inverter. A control strategy for the drivetrain is employed to execute two main tasks: 1) driving the motor properly to achieve a maximum torque per Ampere condition and 2) maximizing the output power of the PV system at different weather conditions. This means that the conventional DC-DC converter is not used in the proposed system. Moreover, batteries, which are characterized by short life expectancy and high replacement cost, are also not used. It is found that the motor output power and the pump flow rate are increased by about 9.5% and 12% respectively when the hybrid PV-TEG array is used compared to only using PV array. Accordingly, the performance, cost and complexity of the system are improved. Measurements on an experimental laboratory setup are constructed to validate the theoretical results of this work

Design and Control of Electrical Motor Drives

Dear Colleagues, I am very happy to have this Special Issue of the journal Energies on the topic of Design and Control of Electrical Motor Drives published. Electrical motor drives are widely used in the industry, automation, transportation, and home appliances. Indeed, rolling mills, machine tools, high-speed trains, subway systems, elevators, electric vehicles, air conditioners, all depend on electrical motor drives.However, the production of effective and practical motors and drives requires flexibility in the regulation of current, torque, flux, acceleration, position, and speed. Without proper modeling, drive, and control, these motor drive systems cannot function effectively.To address these issues, we need to focus on the design, modeling, drive, and control of different types of motors, such as induction motors, permanent magnet synchronous motors, brushless DC motors, DC motors, synchronous reluctance motors, switched reluctance motors, flux-switching motors, linear motors, and step motors.Therefore, relevant research topics in this field of study include modeling electrical motor drives, both in transient and in steady-state, and designing control methods based on novel control strategies (e.g., PI controllers, fuzzy logic controllers, neural network controllers, predictive controllers, adaptive controllers, nonlinear controllers, etc.), with particular attention to transient responses, load disturbances, fault tolerance, and multi-motor drive techniques. This Special Issue include original contributions regarding recent developments and ideas in motor design, motor drive, and motor control. The topics include motor design, field-oriented control, torque control, reliability improvement, advanced controllers for motor drive systems, DSP-based sensorless motor drive systems, high-performance motor drive systems, high-efficiency motor drive systems, and practical applications of motor drive systems. I want to sincerely thank authors, reviewers, and staff members for their time and efforts. Prof. Dr. Tian-Hua Liu Guest Edito

Design and Application of Electrical Machines

Electrical machines are one of the most important components of the industrial world. They are at the heart of the new industrial revolution, brought forth by the development of electromobility and renewable energy systems. Electric motors must meet the most stringent requirements of reliability, availability, and high efficiency in order, among other things, to match the useful lifetime of power electronics in complex system applications and compete in the market under ever-increasing pressure to deliver the highest performance criteria. Today, thanks to the application of highly efficient numerical algorithms running on high-performance computers, it is possible to design electric machines and very complex drive systems faster and at a lower cost. At the same time, progress in the field of material science and technology enables the development of increasingly complex motor designs and topologies. The purpose of this Special Issue is to contribute to this development of electric machines. The publication of this collection of scientific articles, dedicated to the topic of electric machine design and application, contributes to the dissemination of the above information among professionals dealing with electrical machines

Comparison of Finite-Element-Based State-Space Models for PM Synchronous Machines

An interior-permanent-magnet motor is modeled by a combined analytical-numerical approach, in which the relationships between the stator currents and flux linkages are identified with static finite-element (FE) analysis. In addition to the previous approaches using the current space vector as the state variable, new models are also developed using the flux linkage space vector, which leads to more convenient time integration of the voltage equations. In order to account for the zero-sequence effects in delta connection, the models also include either the zero-sequence flux or current as an additional state variable. Finally, the possibilities of deriving the required quantities as partial derivatives of the magnetic field energy are discussed. The energy-based approaches avoid inaccuracies related to torque computation and thus allow better satisfying the power balance in the state-space model. We show the ability of the developed state-space models to predict the currents and torque equally to a nonlinear time-stepping FE model with much less computational burden. The results are validated by means of measurements for a prototype machine in both star and delta connections. In addition, we also demonstrate the effect of the zero-sequence current on the torque ripple in case of a deltaconnected stator winding.Peer reviewe

Circulating Current Induced Electromagnetic Torque Generation in Electric Machines with Delta Windings

This paper explains the phenomenon of current circulation and the resulting electromagnetic torque generation in electric machines employing delta windings. The description entails a systematic assessment of the electrical and magnetic behavior of the machine to develop mathematical models, followed by intuitive explanations of the derived analytical forms. The modeling is thoroughly validated through simulation and experimental results on a prototype machine

Analytical prediction of the electromagnetic torques in single-phase and two-phase AC motors

The single-phase and two-phase versions of AC motors can be modelled by means of the two-axis (d-q) theory with sufficient accuracy when the equivalent circuit parameters are correctly estimated. This work attempts to present a unified approach to the analytical prediction of the electromagnetic torque of these machines. Classical d-q axes formulation requires that the reference frame should be fixed on the frame where the asymmetries arise, i.e. the stator and rotor. The asynchronous torques that characterize the induction motors are modelled in a stationary reference frame, where the d-q axes coincide with the physical magnetic axes of the stator windings. For the permanent magnet motors, that may exhibit asymmetries on both stator and rotor, the proposed solution includes: a series of frame transformations, followed by symmetrical components decomposition. As in single-phase and two-phase systems the homopolar component is zero; each symmetrical component – negative and positive – is further analysed using d-q axes theory. The superposition principle is employed to consider the magnets and rotor cage effects. The developed models account for the most important asymmetries of the motor configuration. These are, from the stator point of view, different distribution, conductors' dimensions and number of effective turns, non-orthogonal magnetic axes windings and from the rotor point of view, asymmetrical rotor cage, variable reluctance, and permanent magnets effect. The time and space harmonics effect is ignored. Test data are compared with the computed data in order to observe how the simplifying assumptions affect the level of accuracy. The analytical prediction methods make possible torque computation according to the nature of the torque being computed, namely, induction, reluctance and excitation (permanent magnet). The results are available for quasi steady-state, steady-state (rated or synchronous speed) and dynamic analyses. All the developed mathematical models can be used in preliminary design for further optimisation and accurate estimation in complex numerical models. Another important feature of the analytical models for single-phase and two-phase AC motors, is that they can be directly implemented in any suitable electrical drives control strategy.reviewe