Abstract:
A method for powering an electronically switched variable reluctance motor (100) from a single-phase AC voltage source (17) is disclosed. Each phase of the motor is sequentially subjected to a magnetising sequence, a demagnetising sequence and an energy transfer to a storage capacitor (C) common to all the phases. Feedback sequences (R) in which the energy stored in the storage capacitor (C) is returned to the rectifier stage (15) are performed by controlling a chopping switch (TH) connected in series to the storage capacitor (C). The method includes a step of monitoring the energy returned to the rectifier stage (15) in order to correct instability in the rectified power supply current (Ia) relative to a reference current wave, and modulating the cyclical chopping ratio around a substantially constant mean value. The method is useful for powering household appliances.
Abstract:
In a synchronous motor a premagnetized rotor (permanent magnet or reluctance) is driven by a magnetic field generated in the stator coils synchronously in relation to the frequency of the driving current in the magnetic field thus generated. The problem that arises with this type of motor is that magnetic field energy stored in a stator coil cannot be exclusively converted into kinetic energy of the rotor. The invention aims to use in an advantageous manner this residual energy, which at present cannot be utilized. According to the invention, the problem is solved by providing an electronic power element for a synchronous motor, comprising means for transferring to another phase winding, by switching to said other phase winding, the residual energy which is stored in the inductance of one phase winding when said phase winding is subjected to an electric current but which is not converted into kinetic energy. In this way, the residual energy is not lost in the form of power loss, but is used again, under deduction of the losses that are inevitable for reasons of physics, for driving the rotor, although this time with the respective other phase winding.
Abstract:
An apparatus for changing the operating modes of a switched reluctance motor is disclosed. The motor can be operated in either a multi-phase mode or a single-phase mode. When the motor is operated in a multi-phase mode, all stator windings are energized, however, when the motor is operated in a single-phase mode, only the windings corresponding to a single phase are energized. The apparatus includes a logic circuit (146) for sensing the motor speed, and a comparator circuit (172) for changing the motor operating modes. The mode change is based on the speed levels of the motor. Between the speed levels, there is a hysteresis operating band to prevent undesirable hunting between the single-phase mode and the multi-phase mode.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for exciting and controlling a switched reluctance motor having pulse duration modulated current provided to the windings of the motor. A start signal determined by a rotor position sensor (76), charges a capacitor (56). The capacitor (56) is discharged according to an error signal (116) that indicates the difference between a desired magnitude of a parameter, such as torque or speed, and the actual magnitude. A comparator (128) puts out a pulse (103) having a duration which is the same as the time that the capacitor (56) has a charge. The pulse from the comparator (128) turns on a switch (75) connected to respective windings of the motor and provides a current pulse (73) that has a duration (t1-t0) equivalent to that of the pulse (103) from the comparator (128). This sequence is repeated for all of the windings of the motor so as to maintain its speed or torque at the desired magnitude.
Abstract:
A switched reluctance machine capable of improved operation under fault conditions. The machine includes a controller which responds to a fault in a phase winding by cutting off current to the phase windings of all stator poles that are aligned with a rotor pole at the time the stator pole having the phase winding with the fault therein aligned with a rotor pole. Consequently, there is no magnetic flux in the stator or rotor at such time. Therefore, no current is induced in the faulted phase winding. This avoids generation of a counter torque, as well as avoiding potential catastropic failure of the SR machine.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for controlling the average voltage applied to a phase winding of a reluctance machine during a period of current increase, controlling the current when a desired current is reached, and controlling the voltage applied during a period of current decrease, to improve machine efficiency and thereby reduce acoustical noise produced by the machine, and unwanted vibration. The apparatus comprises circuitry and associated elements which are operable to switch the phase winding into circuits which apply either a positive DC voltage, a zero voltage, or a negative DC voltage, to increase, maintain, or decrease the current in the winding. The timing and the rate of the switching is controlled as a function of the angular position and speed of a rotor of the reluctance machine, the torque output of the machine, and the desired speed or torque. A method is provided whereby a duty cycle corresponding to a specific reluctance machine, as well as to specific operating parameters of the machine at a given rotor position, speed, and torque, is calculated by the controller for applying voltage to the phase winding during the period of current increase to increase the current from at or near zero to a desired peak current. Additionally, a method is provided for calculating a duty cycle for the time at which the phase is de-energized, corresponding to a specific reluctance machine, and to specific operating parameters of the machine at a given rotor position, speed, and torque, as well as a method for changing the duty cycle to drive the current in the winding to zero or near zero. The calculation of the appropriate duty cycle for the specific operating conditions of the reluctance machine controls the net average voltage applied, has been found to reduce abrupt changes in the current. This reduction correlates into reduced abrupt changes in the magnetic flux, resulting in reduced acoustic noise and unwanted vibration.