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Axial Flux Permanent Magnet (AFPM) machines with ironless rotors are an attractive and recently studied solution in low-speed applications, due to their potentially high power/weight ratio, high aspect ratio, and high efficiency. Nevertheless, these machines are prone to be affected by manufacturing tolerance during its fabrication process and consequently, the magnets may move freely inside the rotor structure. This work presents a statistical analysis of manufacturing tolerances of an AFPM machine with an ironless rotor, considering several magnet fault types. A computationally efficient superposition method is developed and implemented to obtain both the cogging torque and rated torque considering several tolerance combinations with acceptable accuracy. The results obtained from a statistical analysis of 10,000 designs of a two-stator one rotor tooth coil winding AFPM (TCW-AFPM) machine allowed us to identify the parameters with the most impact on relevant performance indicators and disclosed a substantial increase in cogging and ripple torque when unavoidable combined tolerances are present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The control method proposed in this work can be applied to power converters operating in multi-terminal high-voltage dc systems. This paper proposes a decoupled control of a dc-dc modular multilevel converter (MMC) based on a double-T topology intended for multi-terminal high voltage direct current (MT-HVdc) transmission systems or emerging distribution systems operating in medium voltage direct current (MVdc). The aim of the proposed control strategy is to obtain an input current with reduced harmonic content and to eliminate the output ac common-mode voltage, which is not allowed in MT-HVdc systems. The control strategy consists of injecting two circulating ac currents and two dc currents that allow the energy balance between the arms of the converter and the general energy balance of the topology. The dc and ac currents are decoupled and allow control over load variations and reference changes in the dc-links. The proposed topology is mathematically modeled and the control method is then derived. Simulation results are presented to validate the proposed system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The results of this work can be included in the design stage of modular permanent magnet synchronous machines for fault-tolerant applications. Addressing stator-rotor misalignment, usually called eccentricity, is critical in permanent magnet (PM) machines since significantly high radial forces can be developed on the bearings, which can trigger a major fault and compromise the structural integrity of the machine. In this regard, this paper aims to provide insight into the unaddressed identification and analysis of the impact of eccentric tolerances on relevant performance indices of permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs) with modular stator core. Static and dynamic eccentricity are assessed for different slot/pole combinations through the finite element method (FEM), and the results are compared with those of PMSMs with a conventional stator core. The unbalanced magnetic forces (UMF), cogging torque, back-emf, and mean torque variations are described and related to the eccentricity magnitude and classification. The main findings indicate that severe radial forces and significant additional cogging torque harmonics are generated because of eccentricity. Additionally, it is found that the main differences between modular PMSMs and conventional PMSMs rely on the value of slots per pole per phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a medium-voltage drive based on an open-end winding induction machine supplied by a multilevel power converter topology. The power converter consists of cascaded two-level three-phase voltage source inverters (VSI) connected to each side of the machine windings and each VSI is fed by an isolated DC supply. The topology has been previously reported in the literature as a sinusoidal pulse-width modulation operating in an open loop. In this work, a closed-loop model predictive control (MPC) strategy is proposed. MPC offers a much simpler method to control the power switches of the inverter compared to complex modulation strategies that are typically used in multilevel converters. Moreover, the advantage of reducing the common-mode voltage offered by the open-end winding configuration is fully exploited in this work. Simulation results are presented to validate the performance of the proposed topology and control method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This letter presents a Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation (SVPWM) strategy for reducing the DC-link current harmonics in a multi– Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) topology with common DC-link bus. The DC current harmonic reduction is achieved by phase-shifting the PWM pattern of individual VSIs, with the inverters sharing the system total power. Simulation and experimental results are shown to validate the proposal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is focused on the design, optimisation and control of a permanent magnet assisted synchronous reluctance machine (PMaSynRel) for low cost high efficiency household appliances, in particular a motor for washing machine. The design and optimisation of the motor aims at maximising the torque produced and power factor, while minimise torque oscillations and the losses, thus improving the efficiency. A campaign of tests has been carried out on the prototype of the optimised machine, comparing finite element results and experimental measurements as a validation of the proposed design. In addition, torque ripple measurements are confirming that the solution proposed is meeting the optimisation design targets. The outcomes of this project are demonstrating that PMaSynRel drives are a suitable candidate for white goods sector, and that the proposed design is able to boost the performance and efficiency class with respect to the state-of-the-art solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel design concept for Synchronous Reluctance (SynRel) machines aimed at reducing the torque ripple. Two general sizing approaches based on the homothetic scaling principle are defined and compared. An in depth analysis on the torque ripple, for a wide range of scaled geometries, evaluated by finite element, has been carried out at different operating conditions. A further analysis is performed on 4 scaled geometries that have been optimized starting from 4 random rotor geometries. It is shown that the main rotor geometrical variables converge to similar values for all scaled machines. The accuracy of the proposed model is then validated by comparing the FE simulated torque ripple waveforms with the experimental data carried out, for a range of operating conditions, on a machine prototype. The outcome of this work is a fast and accurate scaling technique for the preliminary design of SynRel machines with reduced torque ripple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a methodology for the analytical computation of the slot leakage inductance of tooth-coil winding permanent magnet synchronous machines. Generalized equations for the slot leakage inductance of the whole phase are derived, suitable for several slot-pole combinations, and meant to be used during the machine design stage. For simplicity, self- and mutual-inductance components are formulated using the classical method with detailed permeance determination for both horizontal and vertical distribution of coil sides in the slots, considering a straight-line path for the flux leakage. Several slot-pole combinations were simulated by means of the finite element (FE) method in order to validate the analytical equations in both approaches, FE and analytical, showing adequate concordance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel rotor structure for a tooth-coil-winding (concentrated winding) open-slot axial-flux permanent-magnet (PM) machine that reduces the eddy currents and increases the main flux linkage is proposed in this paper. A composite-body-based rotor assembly and a steel-laminated layer inserted on top of the magnets are used to reduce eddy-current losses in the PMs. A prototype of an axial flux generator for a heavy-duty vehicle following this structure is optimized, analyzed and measured. The tooth coil windings produce high-amplitude harmonics in the air gap and the large slot openings reduce the rotor flux. Consequently, a rotor structure that decreases the amount of harmonics travelling through the magnets is required. Steel laminations covering the magnets have positive effects on both phenomena. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional finite-element analysis is used to verify and optimize the geometry of the laminations. Computations are verified by experimental measurements of a 100 kW test machine prototype. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The development of distributed generation, mainly based on renewable energies, requires the design of control strategies to allow the regulation of electrical variables, such as power, voltage (V), and frequency (f), and the coordination of multiple generation units in microgrids or islanded systems. This paper presents a strategy to control the active and reactive power flow in the Point of Common Connection (PCC) of a renewable generation system operating in islanded mode. Voltage Source Converters (VSCs) are connected between individual generation units and the PCC to control the voltage and frequency. The voltage and frequency reference values are obtained from the P–V and Q–f droop characteristics curves, where P and Q are the active and reactive power supplied to the load, respectively. Proportional–Integral (PI) controllers process the voltage and frequency errors and set the reference currents (in the dq frame) to be imposed by each VSC. Simulation results considering high-power solar and wind generation systems are presented to validate the proposed control strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the impact of manufacturing tolerances on the cogging torque of a 24-slot 28-pole tooth-coil-winding permanent magnet synchronous machine with a modular stator core (TCW-MPMSM). Dimensional tolerances and asymmetries associated with the modular topology are studied by means of finite element simulations in order to identify key parameters that increase the cogging torque above the expected values of a faultless machine. Among five selected dimensional parameters, it was found that angular displacement, radial displacement, and tooth–tip width deviations of the stator segments have the most significant impact on the cogging torque. Considering these three key parameters, a full-range tolerance analysis is carried out by means of a proposed superposition-based approach, evaluating all possible combinations of typical deviation values. It is concluded that the cogging torque increment, generated by tolerances, is relatively independent of the faultless tooth–tip width of the stator segments and the arc-to-pole ratio. Robustness of the TCW-MPMSM, regarding cogging torque generation, depends on both the tightness of the tolerances handled in the manufacturing process and the rated cogging torque: the lower the cogging torque of the ideal machine, the less robust is the machine and, therefore, manufacturing imperfections will be required to be tightened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research on DC-DC power converters has been a matter of interest for years since this type of converter can be used in a wide range of applications. The main research is focused on increasing the converter voltage gain while obtaining a good efficiency and reliability. Among the different DC-DC converters, the flyback topology is well-known and widely used. In this paper, a novel high efficiency modified step-up DC-DC flyback converter is presented. The converter is based on a N-stages flyback converter with parallel connected inputs and series-connected outputs. The use of a single main diode and output capacitor reduces the number of passive elements and allows for a more economical implementation compared with interleaved flyback topologies. High efficiency is obtained by including an active snubber circuit, which returns the energy stored in the leakage inductance of the flyback transformers back to the input power supply. A 4.7 kW laboratory prototype is implemented considering four flyback stages with an input voltage of 96 V and an output voltage of 590 V, obtaining an efficiency of 95%. The converter operates in discontinuous current mode then facilitating the output voltage controller design. Experimental results are presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]