Multi-physics design optimisation of a GaN-based integrated modular motor drive system

Here, a multi-physics approach is presented for the design optimisation of an integrated modular motor drive (IMMD). The system is composed of a modular permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) and a GaN-based modular motor drive power stage. The multi-physics model includes motor drive inverters and DC-link capacitor bank (electrical model), stator windings and rotor magnets (electromagnetic model), heat sink (thermal model), and a geometrical model. The main purpose of the design optimisation is to obtain the highest power density possible, which is quite critical in integrated drives. Due to the integrated structure, the system has several interdependencies and parameters are selected based on those relationships. An 8kW IMMD system design is proposed from the developed optimisation tool and evaluated. The resultant system has a power density of 0.71kW/lt, drive efficiency of 98.3%, and motor efficiency of 96.6%

Superconducting generators for large off shore wind turbines

This thesis describes four novel superconducting machine concepts, in the pursuit of finding a suitable design for large offshore wind turbines. The designs should be reliable, modular and light-weight. The main novelty of the topologies reside in using a single loop shaped stationary superconducting field winding, which eliminates the rotating transfer couplers and electric brushes or brushless exciters. Furthermore, the electromagnetic forces in the superconducting wire are also eliminated, which simplifies the design and manufacturing of the cryostat and the support structure. Among the four topologies presented, the claw pole type machine is the most promising one. The rotor of the machine composes of claw-poles made from laminated electrical sheets, the superconducting field winding and the armature winding are stationary. The machine is analysed using 3D FEA simulations and a small linear machine prototype is manufactured to verify the simulations. For large scale applications, a double-sided claw pole machine is proposed, which has balanced magnetic attraction forces in the rotor. The machine has a modular cryostat structure, which increases the availability of the machine. Thus, even if a fault occurs in the cryocoolers or in the armature coils, the rest of the machine can operate at partial load until the maintenance is performed. Moreover, it is much easier to replace the faulty parts, as full disassemble of the machine is not required, and a small on-site crane can be used. As a result, it offers operational advantages over the existing superconducting topologies. A 10 MW, 10 rpm generator design is presented, which has a diameter of 6.6 m and an axial length of 1.4 m. The total active mass of the generator is 58 tonnes, and the structural mass is 126 tonnes, which gives a total mass of 184 tonnes. There are four independent cryostats and two independent armature windings in the machine to improve modularity. The biggest advantage of the design is the significantly less superconducting wire usage compared to any other designs; 10 MW machine just needs 15 km of MgB2 wire at 30 K. Thus, it is believed that the proposed topology is a very cost effective and suitable candidate for a successful entry to the wind turbine market

Variable Carrier Phase Shift Method for Integrated Contactless Field Excitation System of Electrically Excited Synchronous Motors

This paper presents a novel contactless field excitation (CFE) system based on wireless power transfer (WPT), which utilizes the existing voltage source inverter (VSI) of the motor drive for electrically excited synchronous motors (EESMs). In conventional CFE systems, an extra high-frequency converter is required to excite the field winding. In this paper, it is proposed to utilize existing voltage switching harmonics of the VSI for exciting the field winding while the low-frequency modulated component is used to drive the motor. In the proposed system, a novel variable carrier phase shift method (VCPSM) is developed to achieve constant input excitation voltage for the WPT part independently from the motor operation. In addition, a hybrid frequency detuning control method is introduced to adjust the field current. For experimental validation, a small-scale prototype with 100 V DC-link and 60 kHz switching frequency is established. It is observed that the field current could be kept almost constant at 5 A under different motor driving conditions operations regarding modulation index and fundamental frequency. Also, it is shown that the field current could be reduced by detuning the switching frequency. In brief, without an additional active converter and only with a software update, a cost-effective CFE system for EESMs can be easily implemented

Feasibility of quasi-square-wave zero-voltage-switching bi-directional dc/dc converters with gan hemts

There are trade-offs for each power converter design which are mainly dictated by the switching component and passive component ratings. Recent power electronic devices such as Gallium Nitride (GaN) transistors can improve the application range of power converter topologies with lower conduction and switching losses. These new capabilities brought by the GaN High Electron Mobility Transistors (HEMTs) inevitably changes the feasible operation ranges of power converters. This paper investigates the feasibility of Buck and Boost based bi-directional DC/DC converter which utilizes Quasi-Square-Wave (QSW) Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) on GaN HEMTs. The proposed converter applies a high-switching frequency at high output power to maximize the power density at the cost of high current ripple with high frequency of operation which requires a design strategy for the passive components. An inductor design methodology is performed to operate at 28 APP with a switching frequency of 450 kHz. In order to minimize the high ripple current stress on the output capacitors an interleaving is performed. Finally, the proposed bi-directional converter is operated at 5.4 kW with 5.24 kW/L or 85.9 W/in3 volumetric power density with air-forced cooling. The converter performance is verified for buck and boost modes and full load efficiencies are recorded as 97.7% and 98.7%, respectively

Non-Invasive Real-Time Diagnosis of PMSM Faults Implemented in Motor Control Software for Mission Critical Applications

This paper presents a non-intrusive, real-time, online Condition Monitoring and FaultDiagnosis system for Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines. The system utilizesonly the motor drive's built-in sensors, such as current and voltage sensors, to detectthree types of faults: inter-turn short circuit, partial demagnetization, and staticeccentricity. The proposed solution adopts a hardware-free approach, utilizingcurrent/voltage signature analysis to optimize cost-effectiveness. It requires a smallmemory and short execution time, allowing it to be implemented on a simple motorcontroller with limited memory and calculation power. The system is designed forcritical mission applications, and therefore, computation load, code size, memoryallocation, and run-time optimization are key focuses for real-time operation. Theproposed method has a high detection accuracy of 98%, is computationally efficient,and can accurately detect and classify the fault. The system provides immediateinsights into motor health without interrupting the drive operation

Centralized Microgrid Control System in Compliance with IEEE 2030.7 Standard Based on an Advanced Field Unit

The necessity for the utilization of microgrids emerges from the integration of distributed energy resources, electric vehicles, and battery storage systems into the conventional grid structure. In order to achieve a proper operation of the microgrid, the presence of a microgrid control system is crucial. The IEEE 2030.7 standard defines the microgrid control system as a key element of the microgrid that regulates every aspect of it at the point-of-interconnection with the distribution system, and autonomously manages operations such as the transitions of operating modes. In this paper, a microgrid control system is developed to achieve real-time monitoring and control through a centralized approach. The controller consists of a centralized server and advanced field units that are also developed during this work. The control functions of the centralized server ensure the proper operation during grid-connected and island modes, using the real-time data received via the advanced field unit. The developed server and the field unit constitute a complete system solution. The server is composed of control function and communication, database, and user interface modules. The microgrid control functions comprise dispatch and transition core-level functions. A rule-based core-level dispatch function guarantees the security of supply to critical loads during the islanded mode. The core-level transition function accomplishes a successful transition between the operation modes. Moreover, a communication framework and a graphical user interface are implemented. The presented system is tested through thecases based on the IEEE 2030.8 standard

Improving the Thermal Performance of Rotary and Linear Air-Cored Permanent Magnet Machines for Direct Drive Wind and Wave Energy Applications

Air-cored machines offer benefits in terms the elimination of magnetic attraction forces between stator and rotor. With no iron in the stator there is not a good thermal conduction path for heat generated by Joule losses in the stator winding. Results from both models and experimental tests are provided in this paper to investigate different methods of cooling air-cored windings, including natural air-cooling, direct liquid cooling and the use of heat pipes

Development of a Superconducting Claw-Pole Linear Test-Rig

Superconducting generators can help to reduce the cost of energy for large offshore wind turbines, where the size and mass of the generator have a direct effect on the installation cost. However, existing superconducting generators are not as reliable as the alternative technologies. In this paper, a linear test prototype for a novel superconducting claw-pole topology, which has a stationary superconducting coil that eliminates the cryocooler coupler will be presented. The issues related to mechanical, electromagnetic and thermal aspects of the prototype will be presented