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This paper presents a sensorless-controlled, low-cost, low-power, and variable-speed drive system suitable for fan and pump applications. The main advantages of this drive system are the low system cost, simple converter structure, and simple but robust sensorless control technique. The drive motor is a special hybrid switched reluctance motor. The proposed sensorless control method beneficially utilizes the stator side PM field and its performance is motor parameter independent. The unique low-cost drive system solution, simple and robust sensorless control features of this drive system, is demonstrated in detail in this paper. Important design details for practical implementation of the sensorless control algorithm are included. The complete drive system performance is validated using a prototype drive system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new transverse flux permanent magnet machine. In a normal transverse flux machine, complicated 3-D flux paths often exist. Such 3-D flux paths would require the use of soft magnetic composites material instead of laminations for construction of the machine stator. In the new machine topology proposed in this paper, by advantageously utilizing the magnetic flux path provided by an additional rotor, use of laminations that allow 2-D flux paths only will be sufficient to accomplish the required 3-D flux paths. The machine also has a high torque density and is therefore an attractive solution for various direct drive applications. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The back EMF-based sensorless control method is very popular for permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs) in the medium- to high-speed operation range due to its simple structure. In this speed range, the accuracy of the estimated position is mainly affected by the inductance, which varies at different loading conditions due to saturation effects. In this paper, a new concept of using a constant artificial inductance to replace the actual varying machine inductance for position estimation is introduced. This facilitates greatly the analysis of the influence of inductance variation on the estimated position error, and gives a deep insight into this problem. It also provides a simple approach to achieve a globally minimized position error. A proper choice of the artificial machine inductance may reduce the maximum position error by 50% without considering the actual inductance variation in the control algorithm. Analytical and experimental results are given for validating the proposed theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new motor integrated permanent magnet gear (MIPMG) is discussed. The focus is on eddy current loss analysis associated to permanent magnets (PMs). A convenient model of MIPMG is provided based on 2-D field-motion coupled time-stepping finite element method for transient eddy current analysis. The model takes the eddy current effect of PMs into account in determination of the magnetic field in the air-gap and in the magnet regions. The eddy current losses generated in the magnets are properly interpreted. Design improvements for reducing the eddy current losses are suggested. The proposed model and the results presented in this paper will give useful guidelines for a reliable design and design optimization of the MIPMG. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper presents a new single-phase, Hybrid Switched Reluctance (HSR) motor for low-cost, low-power, pump or fan drive systems. Its single-phase configuration allows use of a simple converter to reduce the system cost. Cheap ferrite magnets are used and arranged in a special flux concentration manner to increase effectively the torque density and efficiency of this machine. The efficiency of this machine is comparable to the efficiency of a traditional permanent magnet machine in the similar power range. The cogging torque, due to the existence of the permanent magnetic field, is beneficially used to reduce the torque ripple and enable self-starting of the machine. The starting torque of this machine is significantly improved by a slight extension of the stator pole-arc. A prototype machine and a complete drive system has been manufactured and tested. Results are given in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new method for computation of the nonlinear flux linkage in 3-D finite-element models (FEMs) of electrical machines. Accurate computation of the nonlinear flux linkage in 3-D FEM is not an easy task. Compared to the existing energy-perturbation method, the new technique introduced in this paper is much easier to use and is computational faster. This method is derived based on the “apparent energy.” Calculation of the nonlinear flux linkage from this energy avoids numerical differentiation, which is sensitive to numerical errors but is required in the traditional energy-perturbation method. The new method proposed is validated using experimental results on two different permanent magnet machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of saturation on torque production for non-salient, single-phase, permanent-magnet machines are studied in this paper. An analytical torque equation is proposed to predict the instantaneous torque with saturation effects. Compared to the existing methods, it is computationally faster and easier to calculate the torque using the analytical equation proposed. It can also handle arbitrary armature current waveforms and arbitrary flux linkage waveforms produced by the rotor permanent magnets. The results obtained by using the proposed torque equation are validated using finite-element results, and experimental results obtained on a prototype single-phase permanent-magnet machine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new low-cost hybrid switched reluctance (HSR) motor intended for use in adjustable-speed pump drive systems. The motor is a single-phase motor, driven by a unipolar converter, which uses both the reluctance torque and the permanent magnet interaction torque. Compared with conventional single-phase switched reluctance motors, it has an increased torque density. The cogging torque is beneficially used in this motor for reducing the torque ripple. It is demonstrated that such a motor drive system can be a suitable candidate to advantageously compete with the existing motor drive systems for low-cost applications. Finite-element models are used to analyze and predict the motor's performance. The proposed motor drive system has been fabricated, and its performance has been tested in the laboratory. These experimental results are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the positioning response is one of the key goals for permanent magnet synchronous motor position servo systems. The sliding mode variable structure controller (SMVSC) is an effective method due to the advantages of strong robustness, fast response, and easy practical implementation. However, the existing SMVSCs have difficulties in optimizing the position tracking response speed and chattering performance at the same time. This article proposes an improved position speed integrated SMVSC (ISMVSC) with a new variable exponential reaching law based on position error and a saturation function, and a speed-limiting method using speed error and trajectory planning. The general design principle is given and various tests are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The experimental results show that compared with traditional methods, the ISMVSC can improve the positioning response speed and reduce chattering problems at the same time; it also exhibits a stronger transient speed-limiting ability. All these advantages make the proposed controller a superior method to achieve high-response positioning control of the servo system that performs point-to-point motion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate rotor position is significant for the back electromotive force (EMF)-based sensorless interior permanent-magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) control. However, the ±(6 h±1)th harmonics will appear obviously in the estimated back-EMF due to the effect of the inverter nonlinearity and flux spatial harmonics. These harmonics will subsequently result in the ±(6 h)th harmonic pulsation in the estimated rotor position. In order to deal with this issue, a new complex-coefficient synchronous frequency filter (CCSFF)-based sliding mode observer combined with a quadrature phase-locked loop (PLL) is proposed to mitigate the back-EMF voltage distortion. Therefore, the performance of the position estimation is remarkably improved. The proposed CCSFF possesses both bandpass-filtering and frequency-adaptability characteristics. It can pass the fundamental component without magnitude attenuation and phase delay in different frequency scenarios. Moreover, the linearized model of the proposed CCSFF-PLL-based position estimation system is established and a systematic parameter design is presented to obtain promising dynamic performance. The effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method are confirmed by experiments on a 1.5-kW IPMSM test platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast and reliable initial rotor position detection is essential for restarting sensorless permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) in free-running condition. In this article, a fast initial rotor position estimation method for low-speed free-running motor is proposed, which utilizes a combined sinusoidal current and square-wave voltage injection method. The sinusoidal current is imposed into the estimated d-axis to magnify the magnetic saturation effect. The amplitudes of the d-axis current caused by injected square-wave voltage are then accumulated. The large difference of the two integrated signals for positive and negative d-axis currents can be reliably used to identify the rotor polarity. Meanwhile, in low-speed free-running stage, the change of saturation degrees introduced by the injected sinusoidal signal does not affect the position estimation accuracy. Moreover, even if the sinusoidal current signal is injected in the incorrect d-axis, the resultant torque is small and unexpected rotation of the rotor is prevented. Its influence on the free-running motor is negligible, due to the combined injection with continuously online updated estimated rotor position by high-frequency square-wave voltage injection during the polarity identification process. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is investigated on a 1.5 kW interior PMSM test platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the back electromotive force (EMF)-based sensorless control of interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM), the inverter nonlinearity and flux linkage spatial harmonics will possibly give rise to (6k ± 1)th harmonics in the estimated back EMF, especially the fifth and seventh harmonics. Those harmonics will consequently introduce (6k)th harmonic ripples to the estimated rotor position, especially the sixth harmonic component. In order to solve this problem, a bilinear recursive least squares (BRLS) adaptive filter is proposed and integrated into a sliding-mode position observer to suppress the dominant harmonic components in the estimated back EMF and as a result, the accuracy of the estimated rotor position can be greatly improved. A unique feature of the BRLS adaptive filter is its ability to track and suppress the specified harmonic components in different steady state and dynamic operational conditions. The proposed method can compensate for harmonic ripples caused by the inverter nonlinearity and machine spatial harmonics at the same time; this method is also robust to machine parameter variation, and the BRLS algorithm itself is machine parameter independent. The implementation of the proposed BRLS filter in the sensorless control of IPMSM is explained in details in this paper. The enhanced drive performances using the BRLS filter have been thoroughly validated in different steady state and dynamic operational conditions on a 1.5-kW IPMSM sensorless drive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• It is analyzed that current measurement error can cause steady-state speed ripple with multiple harmonics. • A robust plug-in repetitive controller is designed in the outer loop of PMSM. • A third order Butterworth filter with phase correction is designed to restrain ripples and ensure high-frequency stability. • A hybrid phase correction method is designed to ensure the stability and the fast error convergence at low frequencies. • The designed repetitive controller is robust to PMSM parameters variation within a normal range. Non-ideal factors can cause steady-state speed ripples for Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM). In this paper current measurement error is mainly analyzed since it can cause multiple (not only 1st- or 2nd-order as analyzed in the existing literature) harmonics when considering its influence on electrical angle. In order to suppress the ripples, a robust plug-in repetitive controller with phase compensation is designed in the outer speed loop of PMSM cascade PI control system. Compared with the repetitive controller added in the current loop, there are two technical challenges: more stringent requirement of high-frequency disturbance suppression and more complex phase compensation design. Hence, a third-order Butterworth filter with phase correction is proposed which can ensure the system's ability to resist low-frequency periodic disturbances and the high-frequency stability of the system. A hybrid phase correction method combining lead, lag and linear correction is designed which can ensure the stability and the fast convergence of the system at low frequencies. The designed repetitive controller is robust to PMSM parameters variation within a normal range. The experimental results prove that the proposed control strategy can effectively suppress motor speed fluctuation with good steady-state and transient performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The single-sided linear actuator has usually large normal force which may induce large frictional force when using roll-bearings to support the linear motion. Otherwise, an air suspension system or assisted guide is needed to balance the normal force. A new H-module linear actuator (HMLA) with much lower normal force is proposed in this paper. The proposed new H-module linear actuator makes use of additional air suspension system unnecessary. The topology and working principle of the HMLA is illustrated in details in this paper. The force characteristics are analyzed by finite element method (FEM). The impacts of several key design parameters on the force characteristics are studied, and the HMLA is optimized afterwards. It is proved that the optimized HMLA could use less permanent magnet (PM) volume and generate larger useful tangential force and its normal force vs. tangential force ratio is much lower than that of the conventional single-sided linear actuator. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In order to reduce the thrust ripple of linear servo system, a double-sided air core permanent magnet linear servo motor with trapezoidal shape permanent magnets (TDAPMLSM) is proposed in this paper. An analytical model of the motor for predicting the magnetic field in the air-gap at no-load is introduced. This model is derived based on the equivalent magnetization intensity method, and its accuracy is validated by using the results obtained from the finite-element method. The key dimensions that affect the air-gap magnetic field are analyzed based on the analytical model, and the design is optimized by using genetic algorithm. A thrust ripple reduction of 70.6% is achieved by optimization. The proposed analytical model may be used for a quick and reliable design and design optimization of the TDAPMLSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Design a frequency-adaptive and parameters-robustness PIR controller for PMSM system. • Making a tradeoff between stability margin and harmonic suppression capability. • Ensuring the stability of the original system not being affected by PIR controller. • Improving the steady-state precision without affecting the transient performance. An adaptive proportional-integral-resonant (PIR) controller with piecewise phase compensation is proposed to suppress the steady-state speed ripple of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive due to current measurement error. The frequency-varying characteristic of PMSM drive makes the parameters determination of the resonant controller more complicated when considering frequency adaptation. In this paper, after theoretical analysis on the current measurement error, the resonant controller is added in the speed PI loop of the PMSM vector control system, which makes the system more prone to instability. In order to ensure the stability of the system at different speeds, the resonant gain is firstly restricted by root locus method to get a stable system in the full speed range. Then, the resonant gain and the phase angel are further designed to obtain a robust vector margin by Nyquist diagram in different speed ranges. Such piecewise phase compensation method can achieve good stability margin and harmonic suppression ability by making a trade-off between them, avoiding the complicated calculation of the trigonometric functions for compensation in real time. Both steady and transient experiment results indicate that the proposed PIR controller can well restrain the frequency-varying speed ripples caused by current measurement error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]