Analysis and simulation of vector controlled bearingless induction motors

The concept of bearingless motors, which combine both motoring and rotor bearing capabilities, is appealing especially in high speed and high power machine applications. Although extensive research has been carried out on permanent magnet and reluctance types of bearingless motors, studies on the induction motor type are less successful. This thesis addresses the bearingless induction motor based on the concept of dual-pole windings, one controlling the motor torque and the other the generated radial forces. A modelling approach is undertaken to investigate the effect of induction machine design on radial force generation and motor levitation under both steady state and transient conditions. The simulation is based on the dynamic reluctance mesh model embedded in vector control systems for the decoupled control of torque, flux and radial force. This is achieved through modification of a previously developed computer software for modelling induction motors in order to model the control of bearingless induction motors. Both the squirrel cage and wound rotor induction motors are investigated and their suitability for generating controlled bearing relief forces assessed. Vector control schemes for the bearingless cage and wound rotor induction motors were also designed and simulated. A mixed field oriented vector control scheme, which incorporates the simple rotor field orientation for motoring control and an airgap field orientation for rotor levitation control, is introduced and found to be advantageous in bearingless induction motor control. Apart from investigating totally bearingless conditions, the study also investigates bearing relief capabilities for a vector controlled cage and wound rotor induction motor in which the rotor movement is restricted by bearings but with the bearing load cancelled by suitably directed radial force. The effects of real winding topologies, stator and rotor slotting and iron saturation on the performance of bearing relief and bearingless induction motors are also presented. Finally, suggestions for future work is included In order to further investigate bearingless induction motors and its applications

Model predictive control of magnetic levitation system

In this work, we suggest a technique of controller design that applied to systems based on nonlinear. We inform the sufficient conditions for the stability of closed loop system. The asymptotic stability of equilibrium and the nonlinear controller can be applied to improvement the stability of Magnetic Levitation system(MagLev). The MagLev nonlinear nodel can be obtained by state equation based on Lagrange function and Model Predictive Control has been used for MagLev system

Fourth International Symposium on Magnetic Suspension Technology

In order to examine the state of technology of all areas of magnetic suspension and to review recent developments in sensors, controls, superconducting magnet technology, and design/implementation practices, the Fourth International Symposium on Magnetic Suspension Technology was held at The Nagaragawa Convention Center in Gifu, Japan, on October 30 - November 1, 1997. The symposium included 13 sessions in which a total of 35 papers were presented. The technical sessions covered the areas of maglev, controls, high critical temperature (T(sub c)) superconductivity, bearings, magnetic suspension and balance systems (MSBS), levitation, modeling, and applications. A list of attendees is included in the document

Advanced control strategies for partially levitating multi-sector permanent magnet synchronous machines

The thesis presents solutions to improve the performance of a partially levitating bearingless permanent magnet synchronous machine with a multi-three-phase winding. A combined winding topology, which consists of three independent three-phase sub-windings, is installed in the stator where each phase contributes to both the suspension force and the motoring torque. This work focuses on control algorithms, including fault-tolerant controls, a current limitation technique, and a current-sharing technique. Firstly, the thesis presents an analytical formulation of the force and torque generation in healthy operative conditions. Following, the three-phase and single-phase open-circuit fault conditions are also analysed. The analytical model of the machine is presented in a generic matrix form so that it can be applied to any machine with a multi-three-phase winding structure if the coupling among sectors is negligible. The fault-tolerant control algorithms address the issues of open-circuit faults of an entire three-phase sub-winding, of a single-phase in a three-phase sub-winding, or of two phases belonging to two different three-phase sub-windings. The theoretical analysis is verified with both Finite Elements Analysis and experimental tests. Then, the thesis proposes a current limitation technique. The main challenges with the combined winding configuration consist of decoupling the suspension force and torque generation and designing a proper current limitation technique. The latter is required in order to maintain the machine in safe operative conditions according to its current-voltage rating and its operative thermal limits. This thesis addresses the limitation technique based on the analytical models, considering both healthy and faulty conditions. In particular, the proposed current limitation technique allows prioritising the suspension force, which is considered a safety-critical output with respect to the torque in order to avoid the rotor touchdown. Numerical simulation results and experimental validation are provided to validate the algorithm. Finally, the thesis proposes a modular approach for a current-sharing control of the machine. A thorough explanation of the methodology used is presented, as well as control algorithms to consider the torque and force control combined with the current-sharing management of the machine. Particular emphasis is also placed on validating the modelling hypotheses based on a finite element characterisation of the machine electro-mechanical behaviour. The proposed control strategy is also extended to cater to the possibility of one or more inverters failure, thus validating the intrinsic advantage of the redundancy obtained by the system's modularity. An extensive experimental test is finally carried out on a prototyped machine. The obtained results validate the current-sharing operation in either healthy or faulty scenarios, both at steady-state and under transient conditions. These outcomes show the potential of the proposed strategy to increase the versatility of fault-tolerant drives applied to this machine topology

Magnetically levitated hysteresis motor driven linear stage for in-vacuum transportation tasks

This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.Thesis: Ph. D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2019Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (pages 241-246).This thesis presents a new in-vacuum reticle transportation mechanism for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photolithography machines. In the photolithography process, the reticle is a quartz plate that contains a pattern of the integrated circuit, which needs to be transported between a storage position and the exposure stage. In next-generation EUV lithography machines, the reticle handling system must satisfy the following requirements: (1) transport the reticle through a distance of 2 meters, (2) the height of the mechanism needs to be within 100 mm, (3) operate in vacuum, and (4) satisfy ultra-tight contamination requirements. To fulfill these requirements, a conventional robotic reticle handler is inadequate. In this work, we designed, built, and tested a magnetically-levitated linear stage prototype, targeting at the reticle transportation application. Compared with robot manipulators, linear stages typically require less volume for long-distance transportation tasks.Magnetic suspension is used to eliminate mechanical contact and thereby avoid particle generation that can contaminate the reticle. The stage's linear motion is driven by linear hysteresis motors, which allows using solid-steel motor secondaries on the moving stage. This is desirable for in-vacuum operation, since permanent magnets can out-gas in high vacuum when not encapsulated. The magnetic suspension of the stage is achieved using a novel linear bearingless slice motor design, where the stage's magnetic suspension in three degrees of freedom, including vertical, pitch, and roll, are achieved passively. This compact design effectively reduces the number of sensors and actuators being used. The prototype system has successfully levitated the moving stage. The resonance frequency of the passively levitated degrees of freedom is approximately 10 Hz, and the suspension bandwidth of the actively-controlled degrees of freedom is about 60 Hz.The stage's maximum thrust force is 5.8 N under a 2.5 A current amplitude, which corresponds to a stage acceleration of 1200 M/s². This is able to satisfy the acceleration requirement for reticle transportation task. The stage was tested to track a reticle handling reference trajectory, where the maximum position tracking error of our linear stage is 50 [mu]m. The stage's lateral displacements during motion is below 50 [mu]m, which is well below making mechanical contact to the side walls. To our knowledge, this work represents the first study of linear hysteresis motors, and the first linear bearingless slice motor design. Hysteresis motors are a type of electric machine that operates using the magnetic hysteresis effect of the secondary material. Since the magnetization in the rotor lags behind the external field, a thrust force/torque can be generated.In prior usage, hysteresis motors have been operated in open-loop, which makes them unsuitable for applications where dynamic performance is critical. As a part of this thesis work, we also studied the modeling and closed-loop torque and position control for hysteresis motors. The proposed control method was tested with three rotary hysteresis motors, including two custom-made motors of different rotor materials and one off-the-shelf hysteresis motor. Experimental results show that position control for all three motors can reach a bandwidth of 130 Hz. To our best knowledge, this is the first work that enabled high-bandwidth torque and position control for hysteresis motors, which allows this motor to be used for servo applications.Sponsored by ASMLby Lei Zhou.Ph. D.Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineerin

Third International Symposium on Magnetic Suspension Technology

In order to examine the state of technology of all areas of magnetic suspension and to review recent developments in sensors, controls, superconducting magnet technology, and design/implementation practices, the Third International Symposium on Magnetic Suspension Technology was held at the Holiday Inn Capital Plaza in Tallahassee, Florida on 13-15 Dec. 1995. The symposium included 19 sessions in which a total of 55 papers were presented. The technical sessions covered the areas of bearings, superconductivity, vibration isolation, maglev, controls, space applications, general applications, bearing/actuator design, modeling, precision applications, electromagnetic launch and hypersonic maglev, applications of superconductivity, and sensors

A multi-port power conversion system for the more electric aircraft

In more electric aircraft (MEA) weight reduction and energy efficiency constitute the key figures. Additionally, the safety and continuity of operation of its electrical power distribution system (EPDS) is of critical importance. These sets of desired features are in disagreement with each other, because higher redundancy, needed to guarantee the safety of operation, implies additional weight. In fact, EPDS is usually divided into isolated sections, which need to be sized for the worst-case scenario. Several concepts of EPDS have been investigated, aiming at enabling the power exchange among separate sections, which allows better optimization for power and weight of the whole system. In this paper, an approach based on the widespread use of multi-port power converters for both DC/DC and DC/AC stages is proposed. System integration of these two is proposed as a multiport power conversion system (MPCS), which allows a ring power distribution while galvanic isolation is still maintained, even in fault conditions. Thus, redundancy of MEA is established by no significant weight increase. A machine design analysis shows how the segmented machine could offer superior performance to the traditional one with same weight. Simulation and experimental verifications show the system feasibility in both normal and fault operations

Novel active magnetic bearings for direct drive C-Gen linear generator

This document presents a novel active magnetic levitation system. In the pursued of this endeavour different topics related with wave energy were explore. Climate change and energy security are the main motivation to pursued new options for non-fossil fuels energy generation. An overview of renewable energy and specifically of wave energy was presented. The potential for wave energy in The United Kingdom turn out to be 75 TWh/year from wave energy, 3 times more of what wind energy has produced in 2013. This means a massive impact on the energy market and emission reduction. In order to achieve this, improvements on wave energy devices have to be done. An overview of wave energy converters was covered selecting the C-Gen as the generator topology this document will base its studies. Linear generator bearings are desired to have long lifespan with long maintenance intervals. The objective is to come with an active magnetic levitation design that can replace traditional bearings augmenting the reliability of the system. Therefore magnetic bearings option have been reviewed and simulation experimentations has resulted in a novel active magnetic levitation system using an air-cored coils Halbach array acting over a levitation track. The configuration would generate bi directional repulsion forces with respect of the levitating body. Different software were used to analyse the magnetic field and forces generation. Additionally a prototype was built and tested to corroborate the results. As part of the modelling a mathematical model was explored and robust control implementation was also realised. Finally a scalability study of the device as well as a reliability analysis was done. Although the reliability studies shows an increase of ten times of the mean time to failure, the concept is not able to endure the loads acting on the generator unless the magnetic bearings became bigger than the generator and therefore economically unfeasible

Multiphase electric drives for "More Electric Aircraft" applications

Advances in power electronic and machine control techniques are making the inverter-fed drives an always more attractive solution. Because of the number of inverter legs is arbitrary, also the number of phases results as a further degree of freedom for the machine design. Therefore, the multiphase winding is often a possible solution. Due to the increasing demand for high performance and high power variable speed drives, the research on multiphase machines has experienced a significant growth in the last two decades. Indeed, one of the main advantages of the multiphase technology is the possibility of splitting the power of the system across a higher number of power electronic devices with a reduced rating. A similar result can be obtained by using multi-level converters. However, the redundancy of the phases leads to an increased reliability of the machine and to the introduction of additional degrees of freedom in the current control and the machine design. This work aims to study and analyze the highly reliable and fault tolerant machines. It proposes innovative solutions for multiphase machine design and control to meet the safety-critical requirements in “More-Electric Aircraft” (MEA) and “More Electric Engine” (MEE) in which thermal, pneumatic or hydraulic drives in aerospace applications are replaced with electric ones. Open phase, high resistance and short circuit faults are investigated. Fault tolerant controls and fault detection algorithms are presented. Radial force control techniques and bearingless operation are verified and improved for various working scenarios. Fault tolerant designs of multiphase machines are also proposed