Abstract:
A method for identifying an operational phase of a motor may include obtaining a first value of a signal that is indicative of the operational phase of the motor and obtaining a second value of the signal after a period of time has expired. The method further includes identifying a first operational phase of the motor if the second value exceeds the first value by a non-negative first threshold value. A second operational phase of the motor is identified if the second value does not exceed the first value by the first threshold value. The first and second operational phases may correspond to relative positions of a motor's rotor and stator, such that periods of energization may be identified for producing motoring or regenerative torque.
Abstract:
An electromagnetic machine stator has a common pole and a plurality of excitation poles. Each excitation pole has a coil wound around it for inducing a magnetic flux through the excitation pole. The common pole that does not have a coil wound around it for inducing a magnetic flux. A flux barrier, disposed within the common pole, inhibits the flow of flux from one part of the common pole across the flux barrier to another part of the common pole. The flux barrier is less conducive to the flow of flux than is the common pole.
Abstract:
An electrical machine rotor includes a flux-conducting portion and a flux-inhibiting portion. The flux-conducting portion is conducive to conveying an electromagnetic flux and has a plurality of salient rotor poles and a portion of back material. The flux-inhibiting portion is less conducive to conveying an electromagnetic flux than the flux-conducting portion and is disposed entirely outside the boundaries of the rotor poles.
Abstract:
A power converter has a first electrical circuit including a direct current (dc) voltage source, a first phase winding of an electrical machine, and a first switch operating in a conductive state. A second electrical circuit includes the first phase winding, a first unidirectional current device, and a capacitive storage element. A third electrical circuit includes the capacitive storage element, a second switch operating in a conductive state, and the first phase winding. A fourth electrical circuit includes the first phase winding, the dc voltage source, and a second unidirectional current device.
Abstract:
An improved single-switch control circuit for use in a multi-phase switched reluctance machine is provided. The control circuit includes at least first and second phase windings, a switch, a capacitor, and a diode. The capacitor may have a polarity opposite that of a power source in the control circuit. The first winding may be connected in series with the switch and connected in parallel with a circuit block comprising the second winding. The second winding may be connected in parallel with the capacitor and in series with the diode. In operation, the switch may be used to redirect current from the first winding to the second winding. The capacitor can become charged by the redirected current until it eventually stores enough energy to essentially discontinue current flow in the first winding. Then, the capacitor can discharge its stored energy as a current through the second winding. In this manner, substantially all of the energy from the first winding can be transferred to the second winding.
Abstract:
Regulating the speed of a two-phase switched reluctance machine (TPSRM) rotor includes selecting either a motoring mode or braking mode of operation for the TPSRM, regulating the rotor speed, when the motoring mode is selected, using a control signal cooperatively produced by a speed control feedback loop and a current control feedback loop; and regulating the rotor speed, when the braking mode is selected, using a control signal produced by the current control feedback loop without the cooperation of the speed control feedback loop. The speed control feedback loop uses an established speed control signal and a signal indicative of the rotor's speed to dynamically adjust a first parameter governing the control signal. The current control feedback loop uses an established current control signal and a signal indicative of the current flowing through a stator winding of the TPSRM to dynamically adjust a second parameter governing the control signal.
Abstract:
A single controllable switch (509) drive system for regulating the speed of a two-phase switched reluctance machine (TPSRM) (700) rotor may include a speed control feedback loop (970) component that uses an established speed control signal and a signal indicative of the rotor's speed to dynamically adjust a first parameter. And a current control feedback loop (976) component that uses an established current control signal and a signal indicative of the current flowing through a stator winding (505,508) of the TPSRM to dynamically adjust a second parameter.
Abstract:
A method for collecting operational parameters of a motor may include controlling the energization of a phase winding of the motor to establish an operating point, monitoring operational parameters of the motor that characterize a relationship between the energization control applied to the motor's phase winding and the motor's response to this control, and collecting information of the operational parameters for the operating point that characterizes the relationship between the applied energization control and the motor's response. The collected information characterizing the relationship between the applied energization control and the motor's response may be employed by a neural network to estimate the regions of operation of the motor. And a system for controlling the operation of motor may employ this information, the neural network, or both to regulate the energization of a motor's phase winding during a phase cycle.
Abstract:
A two-phase switched reluctance machine is provided using discontinuous core structures as the stator for low-cost, high-performance drives. This discontinuous stator core structure contains short flux paths and maximum overlap between the rotor poles and stator poles in the stator discontinuous core structures, regardless of the rotor position. Example configurations of such core structure include E-core, L-core and I-core configurations. Using less steel and magnet wire than in conventional SRM designs results in cost savings of stator material and winding material. Efficiency of this novel SRM is improved because of shorter flux paths resulting in reduction of core losses and decreased phase resistance resulting in reduction of copper losses. Two-phase simultaneous excitation of the novel SRM can reduce torque ripple during commutation as compared with existing two-phase SRMs.
Abstract:
A power converter for a switched reluctance motor or a permanent magnet brushless direct current (dc) motor may include first and second partial circuits for forming multiple conduction circuits in cooperation with first and second phase windings of the motor. The controller also includes a switch operable to open and close a first conduction circuit, which includes the first phase winding, and to regulate energization of the first and second phase windings of the motor through opening and closing the first conduction circuit. Control of the switch provides four-quadrant operation of the motor through regulated energization of the first and second phase windings.