An FEA model study of spectral signature patterns of PM demagnetisation faults in synchronous PM machines

This work reports a finite element analysis (FEA) model study of the stator current spectra of a commercial permanent magnet (PM) AC machine operating with rotor PM demagnetisation faults. A range of PM uniform and local demagnetisation fault scenarios at different severity conditions are examined. The aim of this study is to investigate the extent to which different modes of PM demagnetisation could be distinguished by inspecting the spectral signature patterns these generate in the stator current signal. To this end, a generalised mathematical characterisation of PM fault spectral signature in the stator current is examined and a 2D FEA software used to establish a model of the studied PM machine design. The FEA model was employed to predict the current signal spectral signature patterns of a range of different PM demagnetisation faults. These are then correlated with those arising from the derived expressions to examine whether the predicted and expected spectral trends are in agreement and whether their observation as the potential to provide diagnostic information

3D-Printed rapid prototype rigs for surface mounted PM rotor controlled segment magnetisation and assembly

This paper examines the feasibility of dedicated 3-D printed rigs use for enabling effective build and magnetisation of PM segments and controlled PM rotor assembly of a surface mounted PM rotor design. To this end a commercial surface mounted PM rotor design has been rebuilt and modified to allow for representation of a range of different PM magnetisation conditions. It is shown that suitable geometry assembly rigs made of electrically and magnetically passive material can be rapidly prototyped using 3D printing and applied to enable efficient PM segment build and magnetisation in a desired layout, as well as controlled surface mounted PM rotor assembly.</p

Modal Analysis of a New Thermosensitive Actuator Design for Circuit Breakers Based on Mesoscale U-Shaped Compliant Mechanisms

A new mesoscale thermosensitive actuator design for circuit breakers based on a U-shaped compliant mechanism was introduced as a potential replacement for bimetal strips in miniature circuit breakers. In a previous study, the response of this design to the thermal fields produced by a steady current flow was analyzed. This article presents a modal analysis of the compliant mechanism. The goal of the analysis is to compare the natural frequencies of the mechanism with the frequency of the magnetic loads caused by the flow of the alternating currents. Simulations with simple beam elements and 3D elements are presented and results are compared with experimental measurements. The study finds that the natural frequency of the mechanism differs by a factor of about 8 with the AC frequency. The conclusion is that the proposed compliant mechanism design’s performance as a thermal actuator will not be affected by the cyclic loads generated by the forces induced by the AC magnetic fields