Torque density enhancement of 6/4 variable flux reluctance machine with 2nd harmonic current injection

Variable flux reluctance machines (VFRMs) are developed as magnetless electrical machines. To extend the application of VFRMs, the enhancement of torque density is a key during machine design. In this paper, a novel 2nd harmonic current injection method is developed for torque density enhancement for 6-stator-slot/4-rotor-tooth (6/4) VFRM. By using analytical method, the optimal current profile with injected 2nd harmonic current is obtained. The average torque of 6/4 VFRM is improved by 20% with the proposed method under all load conditions. Moreover, the proposed current profile has fixed harmonic proportions and is easily applicable to machines with different specifications. All the conclusions are confirmed by both finite element analyses and experimental results

Analysis of flux barrier effect of LCF PM in series hybrid magnet variable flux memory machine

Variable flux memory machines (VFMMs) with series hybrid magnets using both low coercive force (LCF) and high coercive force (HCF) permanent magnets (PMs) have been recognized as a viable candidate for wide-speed-range industrial applications due to the advantages of high torque density and wide speed range. Nevertheless, the adverse effects of LCF PM on the HCF PM in series-type VFMM under different magnetization states (MSs) are still unreported. In this paper, the flux barrier effect (FBE) of the LCF PM existing in series hybrid magnet VFMM is first revealed, and its causes are discussed as well as analyzed in depth on the basis of the equivalent magnetic circuit method and finite-element (FE) analyses. A topology of VFMM with dual-layer PMs is further developed to alleviate the FBE induced from LCF PMs. It can be found that the FBE can be effectively suppressed by employing the dual-layer (DL) PM arrangement and additional leakage flux paths. A prototype of the proposed design is built, and the theoretical and FE results are experimentally verified

Comparative Analysis of Variable Flux Reluctance Machines With Double- and Single-Layer Concentrated Armature Windings

In this paper, the variable flux reluctance machines (VFRMs) with double- and single-layer concentrated armature windings are comparatively analyzed. First, the single-layer winding is found to have an identical winding factor as a double-layer winding, but significantly larger peak value of magneto-motive force, which will result in severe local saturation in cores of VFRMs with single-layer winding. Then, based on the magnetic gearing effect and finite-element analysis, the electromagnetic performances of VFRMs with both winding types are compared. The VFRMs with single-layer winding are proved to be always lower in average torque, higher in torque ripple, larger in iron loss, and lower in efficiency than those with double-layer winding. Nevertheless, better fault-tolerance capability is achieved for a single-layer winding due to its physical separation between phases and larger phase self-inductance. Overall, the double-layer armature winding is the preferable choice for the VFRMs. Finally, a 6-stator-slot/4-rotor-pole VFRM with both double- and single-layer windings is prototyped for verification

Analysis of power factor in variable flux reluctance machines with MMF-permeance model

This study investigates the underlying mechanism of low-power factor issue of variable flux reluctance machines (VFRMs) from the perspective of magneto-motive force (MMF)-permeance model. On the basis of a simplified analytical model, the relationship between the design parameters and the power factor is identified and systematically summarised into three predictable ratios: the rotor permeance ratio, stator/rotor-pole ratio and DC/AC winding ampere turns ratio. Specifically, the smaller the rotor-pole arc, the air-gap length, the rotor-pole number and the AC/DC winding ampere turns ratio are, the higher the power factor will be. In addition, the weak coupling between the field and armature windings caused by the modulation effect of the salient rotor is responsible for the low-power factor issue of VFRMs, regardless of the control scheme, winding configuration or saturation effect. A 6-stator-pole/4-rotor-pole VFRM is prototyped and tested for verification

Rotor shaping method for torque ripple mitigation in variable flux reluctance machines

In this paper, four rotor shaping methods, i.e., eccentric circular, inverse cosine, inverse cosine with third harmonic, and multi-step shaping methods, are developed and compared for torque ripple mitigation in variable flux reluctance machines (VFRMs). By using a 6-stator-pole/7-rotor-pole (6/7) VFRM as an example, the design criterions and capabilities of these four methods are illustrated. It is found that all the rotor shaping methods are capable of torque ripple mitigation and applicable to all the VFRMs except those with 6 k /(6 i ± 2) k ( k , i = 1, 2, 3…) stator/rotor pole combinations. Moreover, the inverse cosine with third harmonic and multi-step shaping methods are found to have the best performance. They are able to reduce the torque ripple by 90% at a cost of only 3% torque density reduction. A 6/7 VFRM with both conventional and shaped rotors is prototyped and tested for verification

On-load field prediction of surface-mounted PM machines considering nonlinearity based on hybrid field model

Analytical models show weakness in dealing with saturation in surface-mounted permanent-magnet machines. A hybrid field model (HFM) integrating complex permeance method (CPM) and lumped parameter magnetic circuit model (LPMCM) is proposed in this paper for predicting the on-load magnetic field considering nonlinearity effect of stator lamination. In the proposed model, the CPM calculates the field in the air gap and magnet regions, while LPMCM calculates the magnetic potential distribution inside the iron reflecting nonlinearity effect. The equivalent current sheet is obtained to replace such distribution on the stator bore. Moreover, local magnetic saturation of tooth tip is also transformed into equivalent current on the tooth surface. A solving procedure is proposed to calculate the equivalent current and guarantee the convergence. Compared with CPM, the proposed model considering the saturation effect significantly improves the prediction accuracy of the on-load performance. The HFM predictions are compared with finite element and experimental results. The excellent agreement validates its effectiveness

Analysis of bilinear oscillators under harmonic loading using nonlinear output frequency response functions

In this paper, the new concept of Nonlinear Output Frequency Response Functions (NOFRFs) is extended to the harmonic input case, an input-independent relationship is found between the NOFRFs and the Generalized Frequency Response Functions (GFRFs). This relationship can greatly simplify the application of the NOFRFs. Then, beginning with the demonstration that a bilinear oscillator can be approximated using a polynomial type nonlinear oscillator, the NOFRFs are used to analyze the energy transfer phenomenon of bilinear oscillators in the frequency domain. The analysis provides insight into how new frequency generation can occur using bilinear oscillators and how the sub-resonances occur for the bilinear oscillators, and reveals that it is the resonant frequencies of the NOFRFs that dominate the occurrence of this well-known nonlinear behaviour. The results are of significance for the design and fault diagnosis of mechanical systems and structures which can be described by a bilinear oscillator model

Effect of Intensity Modulator Extinction on Practical Quantum Key Distribution System

We study how the imperfection of intensity modulator effects on the security of a practical quantum key distribution system. The extinction ratio of the realistic intensity modulator is considered in our security analysis. We show that the secret key rate increases, under the practical assumption that the indeterminable noise introduced by the imperfect intensity modulator can not be controlled by the eavesdropper.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures. EPJD accepte

Novel dual-stator machines with biased permanent magnet excitation

This paper proposes high-torque-density dual stator permanent magnet machines with biased permanent magnet (PM) excitation in the inner stator. The developed machine can be geometrically considered as an outer-rotor stator PM machine plus a separate outer stator similar to the conventional fractional-slot machines. Consequently, the proposed designs feature two different stator structures. Meanwhile, two sets of armature windings are employed to improve the space utilization ratio and torque density. The machine topologies and operating principles are first described. In addition, the analytical models of the machine are introduced, which are utilized to optimize the stator/rotor pole combination as well as the power splitting ratio between two stators. This design optimization is performed in order to maximize the torque capability with the constraint of copper loss. The electromagnetic characteristics of the proposed machine with different inner stator structures are evaluated and compared by the finite-element (FE) method. Finally, an optimized DS-BPMM prototype is manufactured and tested to verify the FE analyses