Search results

1 – 10 of 183
Article
Publication date: 5 July 2013

Krzysztof Krykowski, Janusz Hetmańczyk and Dawid Makieła

When phase windings of brushless DC motor are switched, additional voltage drops across inductances of main circuit appear. These drops lead to, among other effects, increase of…

Abstract

Purpose

When phase windings of brushless DC motor are switched, additional voltage drops across inductances of main circuit appear. These drops lead to, among other effects, increase of torque‐speed curve slope. The discussed research has been aimed at working out a simple and precise method of identifying torque‐speed characteristic of PM BLDC motor. The elaborated method takes into account the influence of windings switching and motor inductances on motor torque‐speed characteristic. In order to assess the results, extensive test simulations of models implemented in Matlab/Simulink software have been run. Results of analysis and test simulations have been compared with lab test results of two real PM BLDC motors.

Design/methodology/approach

Analytical calculations take into consideration phenomena occurring during windings switch‐overs and impact of inductance on emerging voltage and rotational speed drops. It has been pointed out that on account of main circuit inductance, the average value of source current is less than average value of equivalent current generating electromagnetic torque. For analysis sake it has been assumed when windings are being switched‐over the current is kept constant; the motor parameters have also been assumed to be constant.

Findings

A novel and accurate method of determining torque‐speed characteristics of PM BLDC motor has been worked out. This method has been investigated with the help of motor computer models implemented in Matlab/Simulink software and the obtained results have been subsequently compared with results of laboratory tests of two commercially available PM BLDC motors.

Research limitations/implications

The object of the research was brushless DC motor with permanent magnet excitation. The impact of windings switch‐overs on torque‐speed curves of the motor has been analysed. Analytical method which makes it possible to determine torque‐speed curve of this motor very easily has been elaborated. Computer model of PM BLDC motor for Matlab/Simulink software has also been worked out. Extensive simulations helping to verify the proposed method have been run. Results of analysis and simulation tests have been verified by means of laboratory tests of two commercially available PM BLDC motors.

Practical implications

PM BLDC motors are used more and more widely. The new method of determining PM BLDC motors torque‐speed curves will facilitate analysis and design of drive systems utilizing these motors and will also speed up calculations.

Originality/value

The presented method of determining torque‐speed curves of PM BLDC motor is novel and much more precise than methods commonly used nowadays. Recognized methods usually neglect impact of inductance on motor properties.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, vol. 32 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 August 2018

Goga Vladimir Cvetkovski, Lidija Petkovska and Paul Lefley

The purpose of this paper is to perform an optimal design of a single-phase permanent magnet brushless DC motor (SPBLDCM) by using efficiency of the motor as an objective…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to perform an optimal design of a single-phase permanent magnet brushless DC motor (SPBLDCM) by using efficiency of the motor as an objective function. In the design procedure of the motor, a cuckoo search (CS) algorithm is used as an optimization tool.

Design/methodology/approach

For the purpose of this research work, a computer program for optimal design of electrical machines based on the CS optimization has been developed. Based on the design characteristics of SPBLDCM, some of the motor parameters are chosen to be constant and others variable. A comparative analysis of the initial motor model and the CS model based on the value of the objective function, as well as the values of the optimization parameters, is performed and presented.

Findings

Based on the comparative data analysis of both motor models, it can be concluded that the main objective of the optimization is realized, and it is achieved by an improvement of the efficiency of the motor.

Practical implications

The optimal design approach of SPBLDCM presented in this research work can be also implemented on other electrical machines and devices using the same or even other objective functions.

Originality/value

An optimization technique using CS as an optimization tool has been developed and applied in the design procedure of SPBLDCM. According to the results, it can be concluded that the CS algorithm is a suitable tool for design optimization of SPBLDCM and electromagnetic devices in general. The quality of the CS model has been proved through the data analysis of the initial and optimized solution. The quality of the CS solution has been also proved by comparative analysis of the two motor models using FEM as a performance analysis tool.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, vol. 37 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 September 2012

Lidija Petkovska, Paul Lefley and Goga Cvetkovski

The paper presents design development of a novel high‐performance low‐cost 6/4 pole permanent magnet brushless DC (PMBLDC) motor. The objective is to show how the cogging torque…

Abstract

Purpose

The paper presents design development of a novel high‐performance low‐cost 6/4 pole permanent magnet brushless DC (PMBLDC) motor. The objective is to show how the cogging torque of this new design is minimised by determining the optimum stator pole arc length and the best shoe thickness.

Design/methodology/approach

At the beginning a step‐by‐step design synthesis of a reference 6/4 pole PMBLDC motor with concentrated 3‐phase windings and asymmetric stator pole arcs is presented. It is followed by a full performance analysis of the reference motor. The FEM for electromagnetic field computation is employed. The characteristics of the motor are calculated and analysed. By simple variation of the stator pole geometry, two‐stage design optimisation for cogging torque minimisation is performed, and an optimised motor model is proposed. The comparative analyses of the reference and optimised motor models show the advantages of the proposed novel design.

Findings

The focus is to show the sensitivity of the cogging torque due to changes in the stator pole shoe design parameters, such as arc length and thickness, which are discretely changed inside the prescribed constraints, and the solution matrix is derived. It was found the optimised stator pole design, providing minimum cogging torque, has the original arc length 85° and pole shoe thickness 4 mm. Thus, the peak‐cogging torque from 0.294 Nm is reduced to respectable value 0.142 Nm.

Originality/value

The paper presents an original approach to synthesis of 6/4 PMBLDC new structured motor. A two‐step design procedure is introduced and optimised stator geometry is defined, minimising the cogging torque and, at the same time, improving the profile of back electromotive force (EMF) of the motor.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, vol. 31 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 August 2014

Jianxin Shen, Dan Shi, Canfei Wang, Peng Li, Kang Wang and Mengjia Jin

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a new cause of torque ripple in interior permanent magnet (IPM) alternating current (AC) motors, which is common but has hardly been…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a new cause of torque ripple in interior permanent magnet (IPM) alternating current (AC) motors, which is common but has hardly been studied. The paper also proposes a new method to suppress the total torque ripple.

Design/methodology/approach

Besides the well-known cogging torque and mutual torque ripple, a new ripple which exists in the reluctance torque is found. It is verified with both analytical model and finite element analysis. Also, a novel method is proposed to reduce the reluctance torque ripple, with experimental validation.

Findings

It is usually said that the winding inductances of an IPM AC motor vary sinusoidally with the rotor position, thus, the d-axis and q-axis inductances are constant, whilst the reluctance torque is smooth. However, in most practical motors, the inductances vary irregularly, causing a significant ripple in the reluctance torque. Moreover, in machine design, it is always desirable to suppress the cogging torque as much as possible. However, in this paper, it is proved that the cogging torque can remain and be used to cancel the reluctance torque ripple.

Originality/value

Torque ripple in the IPM AC motors is usually reduced by suppressing the cogging torque and making both back electromotive forces and currents sinusoidal. However, this paper reveals the new cause of the torque ripple due to the irregular variation of winding inductances. Moreover, the paper gives a new method to cancel the reluctance torque ripple with the cogging torque.

Details

COMPEL: The International Journal for Computation and Mathematics in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, vol. 33 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 May 2020

Lidija Petkovska, Paul Lefley and Goga Vladimir Cvetkovski

This paper presents the design techniques applied to a novel fractional-slot 6/4 pole permanent magnet brushless direct current (PMBLDC) motor, for cogging torque reduction. The…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper presents the design techniques applied to a novel fractional-slot 6/4 pole permanent magnet brushless direct current (PMBLDC) motor, for cogging torque reduction. The notable feature of this motor is the simplicity of the design and low production cost. The purpose of this paper is to reduce the peak cogging torque of the motor. The focus is put on the stator topology tuning, and a new design for the stator poles is proposed. By determining the optimum stator pole arc length and the best pole shoe thickness, the cogging torque is significantly reduced. This new optimised motor design has been analysed in detail. The validation of the results is documented with respective figures and charts.

Design/methodology/approach

At the beginning, the design data for the 6/4 pole PMBLDC motor with concentrated three phase windings and asymmetric stator pole arcs is presented. In the study, this motor is taken as a reference model (A0, T0). A full performance finite element analysis of the reference motor has been carried out, and the weak points in the motor design have been identified. By simple design techniques, tuning the stator pole geometry, a two-stage design optimisation for cogging torque minimisation has been performed and the solution array has been derived. The optimised model is selected and proposed (Aopt, Topt). The comparative analysis of the reference and optimised motors show the advantages of the proposed novel design and prove the methodology.

Findings

The results of the work demonstrate how simple design techniques can minimise the peak of the cogging torque profile, while maintaining the specified electromagnetic torque value. The sensitivity of the cogging torque profile because of changes of the stator pole design inside the prescribed constraints is apparent. The stator poles of the reference motor have an arc length of 85° and pole shoe thickness of 6 mm. The newly shaped stator poles have an arc length of 78.5° and pole shoe thickness 4.8 mm. The peak-cogging torque has been reduced from 0.158 Nm to a respectable value of 0.066 Nm. However, to reduce electromagnetic torque ripple and pulsations, further investigations are required.

Originality/value

The paper presents an approach to cogging torque reduction for a 6/4 PMBLDC motor. A two-step original design procedure is introduced and an optimised stator pole geometry is defined. The minimised cogging torque has been demonstrated with improved usage of the active materials. This work could serve as a good basis for further optimisation of the motor design.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering , vol. 39 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 May 2023

Marek Hreczka, Roman Kolano, Aleksandra Kolano-Burian, Wojciech Burlikowski and Janusz Hetmańczyk

The purpose of this paper is to verify results related to losses in the core of a brushless DC prototype motor, obtained using its computer FE models, by experimental tests on…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to verify results related to losses in the core of a brushless DC prototype motor, obtained using its computer FE models, by experimental tests on manufactured machines. The paper focuses on the comparison of losses in the core of a machine with a classical stator core made of an iron–silicon material (Fe–Si) and a new one made of a modern METGLAS material.

Design/methodology/approach

Computer models of the prototype motors were created using FEM. The designed machines were manufactured, and experimental tests were performed. To achieve high frequencies in rotating magnetic fields, motors with a stator to rotor pole ratio of 9/12 were built. Twin rotor approach was applied, as two identical rotors were built along the two geometrically identical stators made of different core materials.

Findings

Experimental studies have shown the superiority of the METGLAS material over the classical Fe–Si material. Material parameters were measured directly on the prepared cores as library data used in the simulation may be incorrect due to technological processes during core production, which was also verified. Problems related to twin rotor approach have been identified. Solution to the problem has been suggested. Necessity of 3D FEM modelling was identified.

Originality/value

The main source of originality is that METGLAS material used in the prototype machines was developed and manufactured by the authors themselves. Original approach to core parameter evaluation based on simplified methodology has been suggested. Another original part is a simplified methodology applied to loss measurement during no-load test.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering , vol. 42 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 December 2021

Bharathi Sankar Ammaiyappan and Seyezhai Ramalingam

The conventional two-level inverter suffers from harmonics, higher direct current (DC) link voltage requirement, higher dv/dt and heating of the rotor. This study aims to overcome…

Abstract

Purpose

The conventional two-level inverter suffers from harmonics, higher direct current (DC) link voltage requirement, higher dv/dt and heating of the rotor. This study aims to overcome by using a multilevel inverter for brushless DC (BLDC) drive.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the conventional two-level and three-level multilevel inverter for electric vehicle (EV) application using BLDC drive.

Findings

A three-level Active Neutral Point Clamped Multilevel inverter (ANPCMLI) is proposed in this paper which provides DC link voltage control. Simulation studies of the multilevel inverter and BLDC motor is carried out in MATLAB.

Originality/value

The ANPCMLI fed BLDC simulation results shows that there is the significant reduction in the BLDC motor torque ripple, switching stress and harmonic distortion in the BLDC motor fed ANPCMLI compared to the conventional two-level inverter. A prototype of ANPCMLI fed BLDC drive along with field programmable gate array (FPGA) control is built and MATLAB simulation results are verified experimentally.

Details

Circuit World, vol. 49 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0305-6120

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2012

Juan Dixon, Lorenzo Urrutia, Matías Rodríguez and Rodrigo Huerta

This paper is devoted to the investigation of position estimation for a brushless DC machine using only their stator currents. The first application is for a hybrid electric…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper is devoted to the investigation of position estimation for a brushless DC machine using only their stator currents. The first application is for a hybrid electric vehicle, where the generator will be used as a motor to start the internal combustion engine (ICE).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes how to estimate the rotor position of a brushless DC (BLDC). Two different strategies, both based on stator currents, will be used: one for low speeds to start the ICE, and one for normal speeds for future applications in a pure electric vehicle (EV). The first one uses an estimation method based on core saturation and the second one is based on the determination of the current slopes on two of the three phases. The algorithms proposed neither needs to measure any machine parameters, nor the back emf. The methods use the information contained in the current magnitudes and slopes, and the machine mechanical speed. The system was implemented using a Digital Signal Processor (TMS320F241), which controls the phase currents and makes all the calculations required for position estimation. Additionally, the PWM signals are transmitted through a fiber optic link to minimize noise production and error on commutations.

Findings

The papers shows how an internal combustion engine can start using this approach in a brushless motor and keep it synchronized.

Research limitations/implications

This work is being applied to a hybrid electric vehicle.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a new way to start the internal combustion engine for hybrid vehicle applications through the estimation of the magnet's position. It also shows a way to estimate the position at other speeds for battery charging of the vehicle.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, vol. 31 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2013

Jian‐Xin Shen, He Hao, Can‐Fei Wang and Meng‐Jia Jin

The aim of this paper is to present a new sensorless control strategy using a flux observer, which is particularly designed for taking into account the rotor saliency and winding…

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to present a new sensorless control strategy using a flux observer, which is particularly designed for taking into account the rotor saliency and winding inductance variation in an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM).

Design/methodology/approach

In a PMSM, the magnets‐excited flux‐linkage, i.e. the rotor flux‐linkage, can be expressed as a vector. Its phase angle stands for the rotor position. Therefore, if this vector is estimated with an observer, the rotor position can be obtained without a position sensor, consequently, sensorless control can be realized. The main object of this paper is to establish and implement a model of rotor flux observer, specifically for IPMSM.

Findings

The flux observer model is built on the d‐q‐0 frame, using unequal values of the d‐axis inductance Ld and q‐axis inductance Lq to represent the IPMSM rotor saliency. Its digital implementation is proposed, whilst the sensorless control strategy is experimentally verified.

Research limitations/implications

Insignificant error exists in the estimated rotor position, probably due to the non‐sinusoidal variation of winding inductance. Further improvement of the observer model is preferable.

Originality/value

In previous works, the rotor flux observer is only applied to surface‐mounted permanent magnet synchronous motors (SPMSM) in which the winding inductance is constant. However, the proposed observer can deal with the rotor saliency and inductance variation in IPMSM, whilst its digital implementation is also new.

Details

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, vol. 32 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 April 2014

Piotr Putek, Piotr Paplicki and Ryszard Pałka

In this paper, a numerical approach to the topology optimization is proposed to design the permanent magnet excited machines with improved high-speed features. For this purpose…

520

Abstract

Purpose

In this paper, a numerical approach to the topology optimization is proposed to design the permanent magnet excited machines with improved high-speed features. For this purpose the modified multi-level set method (MLSM) was proposed and applied to capture the shape of rotor poles on the fixed mesh using FE analysis. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This framework is based on theories of topological and shape derivative for the magnetostatic system. During the iterative optimization process, the shape of rotor poles and its evolution is represented by the level sets of a continuous level set function f. The shape optimization of the iron and the magnet rotor poles is provided by the combining continuum design sensitivity analysis with level set method.

Findings

To obtain an innovative design of the rotor poles composed of different materials, the modified MLSM is proposed. An essential advantage of the proposed method is its ability to handle a topology change on a fixed mesh by the nucleating a small hole in design domain that leads to more efficient computational scheme then standard level set method.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed numerical approach to the topology design of the 3D model of a PM machine is based on the simplified 2D model under assumption that the eddy currents in both the magnet and iron parts are neglected.

Originality/value

The novel aspect of the proposed method is the incorporation of the Total Variation regularization in the MLSM, which distribution is additionally modified by the gradient derivative information, in order to stabilize the optimization process and penalize oscillations without smoothing edges.

Details

COMPEL: The International Journal for Computation and Mathematics in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, vol. 33 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

1 – 10 of 183