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This paper presents the design of a bidirectional wireless power and information transfer system. The wireless information transfer is based on near-field technology, utilizing communication coils integrated into power transfer coils. Compared with conventional far-field-based communication methods (e.g., Bluetooth and WLAN), the proposed near-field-based communication method provides a peer-to-peer feature, as well as lower latency, which enables the simple paring of a transmitter and a receiver for power transfer and the real-time updating of control parameters. Using the established communication, control parameters are transmitted from one side of the system to another side, and the co-control of the inverter and the active rectifier is realized. In addition, this work innovatively presents the communication-signal-based synchronization of an inverter and a rectifier, which requires no AC current sensing in the power path and no complex algorithm for stabilization, unlike conventional current-based synchronization methods. The proposed information and power transfer system was measured under different operating conditions, including aligned and misaligned positions, operating points with different charging powers, and forward and reverse power transfer. The results show that the presented prototype allows a bidirectional power transfer of up to 1.2 kW, and efficiency above 90% for the power ranges from 0.6 kW to 1.2 kW was obtained. Furthermore, the integrated communication is robust to the crosstalk from the power transfer and misalignment, and a zero BER (bit error rate) and ultra-low latency of 15.36 µs are achieved. The presented work thus provides a novel solution to the synchronization and real-time co-control of an active rectifier and an inverter in a wireless power transfer system, utilizing integrated near-field-based communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on increasing the computational efficiency of 3D multi-static magnetic finite element analysis (FEA) for electrical machines (EMs), which have a magnetic field evolving in 3D space. Although 3D FEA is crucial for analyzing these machines and their operational behavior, it is computationally expensive. A novel approach is proposed in order to solve the magnetic field equations by exclusively using the magnetic scalar potential. For this purpose, virtual variable permanent magnets (vPMs) are introduced to model the impact of the machine's coils. The effect on which this approach is based is derived from and explained by Maxwell's equations. To validate the new approach, an axial flux machine (AFM) is simulated using both 2D and 3D FEA with the magnetic vector potential and current-carrying coils as a reference. The results demonstrate a high level of agreement between the new approach and the reference simulations as well as an acceleration of the computation by a factor of 15 or even more. Additionally, the research provides valuable insights into meshing techniques and torque calculation for EMs in FEA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article deals with a LCC-LCC compensated dynamic wireless power transfer system for electric vehicle charging applications. The presented prototype system allows for a power transfer of about 10 kW at 20 cm coil copper to copper distance. With just one circular pickup coil and a very straightforward control scheme, a new coil arrangement enables a seamless power transfer. Furthermore, the system's design power level is easily adjustable by the size of the the pickup coil. The hardware architecture as well as the software functionality are described in detail. A 20 m test track was built up according to the outlined principle. By measuring the transmitted power, the efficiency and the interference between the primary segments and its effect on the inverter currents are examined. The results show an effective DC to DC efficiency in the range of 91 to 92% and a power fluctuation of approximately 25%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes an online diagnosis scheme for transistor faults of asymmetric half-bridge converter (AHBC) in switched reluctance motor (SRM) drives. In order to extract more information from the phase current to identify faults, based on the conventional current measurement method, two novel current measurement methods are presented by reconstructing current sensors. According to the novel current measurement methods, a current prediction method is raised. The phase current at the kth sampling time is available so that the estimated current can be calculated. The fault can be detected and located by analyzing the given and actual switching states, which are deduced by comparing the measured and estimated currents. Compared with existing methods, the proposed scheme can be applied to diagnosis of multiple faults in n-phase AHBC, which can operate at various control strategies and chopping modes. With a single current sensor in each phase, the scheme will not increase the cost and complexity of the SRM drive. Furthermore, the scheme does not require complicated computation, making it easy to implement online. The experimental results confirm the effectiveness and flexibility of the proposed scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) was used to produce stator half-shells of a transverse flux machine from pure iron (99.9% Fe). In order to reduce iron losses in the bulk components, radially extending slits with a nominal width of 150 and 300 µm, respectively, were integrated during manufacturing. The components were subjected to a suitable heat treatment. In addition to a microscopic examination of the slit quality, the iron losses were also measured using both a commercial and a self-developed measurement setup. The investigations showed the iron losses can be reduced by up to 49% due to the integrated slits and the heat treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exoskeletons are powerful tools for aiding humans with pathological conditions, in dangerous environments or in manually exhausting tasks. Typically, they are designed for specific maximum scenarios without taking into account the diversity of tasks and the individuality of the user. To address this discrepancy, a framework was developed for personalizing an exoskeleton by scaling the components, especially the electrical machine, based on different simulated human muscle forces. The main idea was to scale a numerical arm model based on body mass and height to predict different movements representing both manual labor and daily activities. The predicted torques necessary to produce these movements were then used to generate a load/performance cycle for the power unit design. Considering these torques, main operation points of this load cycle were defined and a reference power unit was scaled and optimized. Therefore, a scalability model for an electrical machine is introduced. This individual adaptation and scaling of the power unit for different users leads to a better performance and a lighter design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method to suppress the force ripple of switched reluctance linear motors (SRLMs) based on predictive-fuzzy control is proposed in this article. Generally, the force ripple mainly occurs in the commutation area, resulting from the dropping force of the outgoing phase that cannot match the rising force of the incoming phase. The force distribution function (FDF) is a suitable method for controlling the forces of the outgoing phase and incoming forces during the commutation area. However, the controller calculation takes time and the motor shows inductive behavior, so the control signal, which is the reference current in FDF, always lags the reference force, which weakens the effect of the FDF control. Considering this problem, a method of predictive-fuzzy control is proposed in this article. The current can be controlled in advance by predicting the force, which reduces the appearance of the negative electromagnetic force, which is beneficial to improving the efficiency of the motor, and the mutual inductance is also considered in the predictive model. Additionally, a fuzzy controller is employed, and adaptive parameters of the control system are adopted. To validate the proposed control system, experimental verification is performed on a 500 W 6/4 double-sided SRLM, showing that the proposed method has a better force ripple suppression performance than the FDF control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the wide field of tumor treatment, thermal ablation procedures are very promising. Alternating magnetic fields are used to transfer the energy from outside the patient to the tumor area located anywhere in the body. This energy is converted to heat by implanted devices located in the tumor area. In this paper, the spatial distribution of the magnetic field of different circular coil configurations is analyzed and optimized with focus on patients’ safety and on coil configuration performance. The analysis is based on several performance criteria and is conducted with respect to the worst case scenario of a contactless thermal tumor ablation of deep-seated tumors, in which the energy has to be transferred over a considerably large distance. The magnetic field and the specific absorption rate (SAR) are calculated numerically and the performance criteria are evaluated based on a model of a human body including a tumor area. The most suitable coil configurations for different application scenarios are presented and a thermal analysis is done. Based on this, the minimum required heating power, coil current and number of coil windings, and the corresponding maximum SAR to achieve an adequate rise of tissue temperature are evaluated. For a heating power of 1.45 W, a minimum SAR of 130 mW/kg, a maximum power transfer efficiency of 1.05%, and a maximum coupling coefficient of 0.00695 is achieved. This paper shows the potential to enhance the safety of the patients significantly by choosing the appropriate coil configuration for a specific application scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to inductively charge electric vehicles, which are based on a low-voltage drive train, high currents have to be overcome. This work describes a simulative approach to charge 48 V-based electric vehicles wirelessly with high power. A system was designed on the basis of various boundary conditions and validated by simulation. In order to increase the transmittable power, the system was investigated for an extendable approach and was examined for modularity. In particular, the influences of the secondary coils on each other must be taken into account. Finally, the entire system was evaluated by physical and electrical simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper mainly takes a 6/4 switched reluctance motor (SRM) as an example to analyze the temperature of the motor. In order to establish the equivalent thermal circuit model (ETCM) conveniently, the mechanical structure of the motor is simplified to a certain extent, and the characteristic nodes are divided. Then the heat transfer process in the rotor region, the stator region and the whole motor during the operation of the motor is analyzed, and the ETCM of those regions are established respectively. This method of establishing ETCM is also applicable to superconducting motors. Based on the basic principles of heat transfer, the calculation method of thermal resistance in each ETCM is given in this paper. Then, the three-dimensional (3-D) finite element (FE) temperature field model of the motor is built and compared with the ETCM. Finally, the accuracy of the ETCM is verified by experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reliable simulation and design of inductive components requires knowledge of the core material's magnetic properties. Usually no such data is available for medium frequencies, thus magnetic properties have to be measured. IEC 60404-10 suggests to measure magnetic properties in a frequency range between 400 Hz and 10 kHz by means of an Epstein frame, which however requires high apparent power [1]. Furthermore the mean magnetic path length has to be known to measure the magnetic field strength. Standards such as IEC 60404-10 state a constant length of 940 mm which in reality depends on multiple factors, including frequency and peak flux density. Therefore errors will inevitably be made [2,3]. Singe sheet testers, which are not as popular as Epstein frames, however have some advantages over the Epstein frame [1,2,4,5]. To decrease the apparent power demand when measuring Epstein frame sized samples as well as to reduce systematical errors, an optimized single sheet tester, also called single strip tester or SStT, has been developed for medium frequencies and high flux densities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this contribution, a design procedure that is applicable to many kinds of wireless or contactless energy transfer systems is proposed. The design procedure is limited to near field wireless energy transfer systems in resonant operation. For this purpose, the input impedance and voltage transfer function of different natural frequencies are calculated analytically, and moreover, the behavior of the system is described. Following three issues lead to a readily applicable design procedure. First, the knowledge of the transfer functions. Secondly, the knowledge of basic magnetic properties and lastly, the known influence of harmonics according to rectifier and inverter. This design procedure is demonstrated with two hardware setups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the design, the setup, and the operation of a rotating contactless energy transfer (CET) system. The system is used to replace the slip rings of an electrical excited synchronous machine and to transfer energy onto the rotor of the machine without mechanical contact. A compensation topology with an autoresonant circuit to generate the high frequency voltage is presented. Furthermore, the required parameters of the CET system are calculated. Based on these calculations, the system consisting of the power electronics, the compensation network, the magnetic path, the control system, and the electrical excited synchronous machine with controller, is set up. Finally, the calculated parameters are verified by measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tolerances and limitations in design and manufacturing of both electrical motors and inverters lead to parasitic resistances in the phases. Therefore, the phase resistances are asymmetric, which causes an asymmetry among the phase currents and a resulting increase in torque ripple. This paper proposes a novel scheme for torque ripple minimization using online estimation of unbalanced stator resistances of a permanent-magnet synchronous motor. The identifiability of the stator resistances in a nonlinear model is investigated by employing a sensitivity analysis. The phase resistances are estimated by recursive least squares in the rotating reference frame in real time. Using the estimated resistances, torque ripple reduction is achieved by a compensation scheme in the stationary reference frame. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme is verified in both simulation and test-bench experiments. Results with and without consideration of magnetic saturation are compared. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Generators in wind turbines are the key components to convert mechanical into electrical power. They are subject to electrical and mechanical excitation at the same time, which can cause electro-mechanical interactions. To avoid unwanted interactions, standard design approaches use conservative, stiff designs that lead to heavy generators of several hundred tons. New wind turbine designs, beyond 10 MW, need to revisit the conservative design approach as the tower top mass needs to be limited. To reduce the generator's mass without large deformation that can damage the wind turbine, a better understanding of electro-mechanical interactions is key. This requires a detailed model including both the mechanical and the magnetic forces. This work presents a numerical setup of a coupled electromagnetic-structural multi-body model. While existing couplings are application-specific; the presented coupling is independent of the actual use case and allows for transient dynamic two-way coupled analyses. For validation, an experimental setup with basic components is introduced. The results show the applicability of the developed coupling for detailed analysis of general electro-mechanical interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]