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This paper proposes a new winding layout for high-power medium-voltage nine-phase induction machines (IMs) based on a single-layer concentrated winding layout having a unity winding factor. The machine is fundamentally an asymmetrical nine-phase IM, where phases are connected in such a way as to provide six terminals that are fed from two three-phase inverters. Compared to a conventional asymmetrical six-phase IM with the same stator and copper volumes, it provides improved torque density, a higher torque/current ratio, and a simpler winding layout. Finite-element simulation is used to compare the proposed winding layout with a conventional split-phase six-phase IM to assess the claimed merits. A 1.5-hp prototype IM is also used for experimental verification. The experimental results are given under both healthy and fault conditions, where the faulty converter is completely disabled. The achievable derating factors under this case are then given and compared with those of conventional six-phase IMs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The combined star/pentagon connection of five-phase induction machines was recently demonstrated as a promising compromise between conventional star and pentagon connections. It combines the advantages of both star and pentagon connections without any additional hardware for winding changeover. This connection is based on two five-phase single layer concentrated winding sets shifted in space by π/10 and connected in a combined star/pentagon configuration to provide five-phase terminals. Since the combined star/pentagon connected induction machine is fundamentally an asymmetrical ten-phase machine, the machine mathematical model possesses additional subspaces, which affect the behavior of the machine especially under open line conditions. Starting from the conventional five-phase and m -bar squirrel cage induction machine model, the phase-variable model of the combined star/pentagon connection is introduced in this paper. The corresponding equivalent dq model with five decoupled subspaces, which can account for air gap harmonics up to ninth order, is then derived. Finally, it was shown that the machine model could be simply approximated with only two subspaces similar to a conventional five-phase induction machine with sinusoidally distributed winding, where the flux produced by the nonfundamental subspace could be neglected. The model is verified using a 1 kW prototype five-phase induction machine. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The steady-state modeling of multiphase induction machines (IMs) with m phases under open-line fault conditions is usually carried out based on symmetrical component theory. Hence, the estimation of the machine characteristic curves usually involves complex mathematical calculations and inversion of high-order matrices, which complicates the analysis. Moreover, the effect of the different subspaces’ impedances on the machine performance cannot be easily recognized using this modeling technique. Instead, this paper presents the first attempt to derive a simple equivalent circuit for a five-phase IM under open-line conditions that includes the effect of all subspaces in a single circuit. The derivation is carried out for both star and pentagon connections. The equivalent circuit can be a simple technique to explain the advantages obtained from a pentagon connection compared to the star connection under open-circuit faults. It can also be used to derive a simple expression for torque gain and torque ripple magnitude for different stator connections based on the circuit parameters. The derived equivalent circuits are verified using a 1-kW five-phase prototype machine. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Fractional slot concentrated windings (FSCWs), or modular windings, have shown promise with permanent magnet machines. However, their inability to produce high quality travelling fields has limited their application from spreading to induction machines. This paper presents the design considerations and tradeoffs involved in applying FSCWs to five-phase induction machines using the conventional three-phase lap wound machine as a reference. Previous work has touched upon the application of modular windings to three-phase induction machines, concluding that a conventional distributed winding is superior in terms of torque production and rotor bar losses. In applications such as high frequency induction machines and manually wound electrical submersible pump motors, the proposed machine topology provides advantages that may warrant its application despite an apparent power density penalty. In this paper, a prototype five-phase modular winding induction machine designed to significantly reduce the effect of space harmonics is investigated through simulations and experimentally. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Investigates the selection criteria of induction machines for speed-sensorless drive applications. Details of the fundamental pole pair and rotor slot relationships for the generation of principal-slot-harmonic; Simulation results; Conclusions.

The nine-phase six-terminal induction machine has recently been proposed as a promising contender to the conventional six-phase asymmetrical winding machine in terms of torque density, phase current quality, stator winding simplicity, and fault-tolerant capability. However, the relatively lower dc-link voltage utilization of a single neutral arrangement in multiphase machines with multiple three-phase windings represents, in general, a technical challenge when compared to windings with isolated star points. Therefore, this paper proposes a new pseudo six-phase winding layout suitable for medium-voltage high-power induction machines, which employs quadruple three-phase stator winding sets, while providing the same terminal behavior of a nine-phase six-terminal winding. Additionally, like the traditional six-phase winding, two possible neutral arrangements can be configured. The proposed winding configuration provides the same dc-link voltage utilization as in conventional dual three-phase winding machines with isolated neutrals. The effect of the circulating zero-sequence current component experienced with a single neutral arrangement can also be avoided. A 1.5 Hp prototype induction machine is used to experimentally validate the proposed six-phase winding layout under both healthy and fault conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of multiphase machines in high-power applications is now a recognized alternative, thanks to their higher fault-tolerance when compared with standard three-phase systems. Although multiphase machines with multiples of three-phase winding sets have been favored in many applications, literature has shown that machines with a prime number of phases, such as five-phase machines, generally outperform other phase orders, especially in terms of machine torque density. One of the major problems when dealing with a prime number of phases either in academic research or industrial applications is the special stator design. This paper provides a general technique to rewind standard off-the-shelf three-phase stator frames with any general prime phase order while preserving the same copper volume. The proposed winding layout is derived using the star of slots theory and the concept of stator winding shifting. Finite-element simulations are used to investigate examples with different phase orders, while experimental investigation is carried out to corroborate the proposed concept by rewinding a standard three-phase stator as a five-phase machine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nine-phase six-terminal induction machine (IM) has been recently proposed as a promising contender to the conventional asymmetrical six-phase type in terms of torque density, stator winding simplicity, and fault-tolerant capability. The stator is composed of nine phases, which are connected in a fashion to only provide six stator terminals. Therefore, this connection combines the high performance of a nine-phase winding with the terminal behavior of a six-phase machine. This paper introduces the machine mathematical model based on the vector space decomposition (VSD) modeling approach. The required current and voltage sequence transformation matrices are derived such that the machine is mathematically regarded as an equivalent six-phase IM with only three decoupled subspaces. This way, the same VSD-based controller structures conventionally applied to six-phase-based systems can be preserved. A 1.5-hp prototype IM is used to experimentally validate the machine model under both healthy and open-phase conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the increased interest in multiphase induction machines for safety-critical applications, machine parameter identification for the different sequence planes is still a challenging research point. In most available literature, the effect of nonfundamental sequence planes is overlooked due to the assumption of sinusoidal winding distribution and healthy operation. However, in a single layer or concentric winding layout with an odd number of phases, the effect of flux produced by nonfundamental sequence planes cannot be ignored for the open-phase case. This paper proposes a simple offline method to estimate the parameters of a five-phase induction machine corresponding to different sequence planes. The proposed technique can estimate the stator leakage inductance as well as the magnetizing inductance of both fundamental and third sequences by applying a quasi-square voltage to the stator winding while the machine is running at no-load. Consequently, the rotor circuit parameters of the fundamental sequence plane can be simply obtained by deducting the stator impedance from the blocked rotor machine impedance. For the third sequence plane, an approximate relation to estimate these parameters based on the measured fundamental sequence rotor parameters is also given. An experimental 1.5 Hp prototype machine is used to verify the proposed technique. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper studies the effect of stator winding configuration on the performance of five-phase induction machines under healthy as well as faulty conditions. The study compares two connections, namely, star and pentagon connections. The comparison is conducted using both simulation and experimental results. The steady-state model based on symmetrical components theory is introduced for both connections with one-line open due to a converter fault, and the corresponding machine characteristic curves are estimated. During faults, two alternatives for machine operation are possible, namely, open-loop control and optimal current control. While the first alternative corresponds to higher torque ripple and unbalanced winding currents, the second option necessitates unbalanced phase voltages and typically an increased dc-link voltage to source the required optimal currents. Consequently, an increase in the employed semiconductor device rating is required, which is a critical design factor particularly in medium-voltage applications. A new V/f control technique is proposed to ensure disturbance-free operation with one-line open for both winding connections. Based on the unbalanced machine model and experimental verification, the derating factors that ensure safe machine operation for both winding connection alternatives are calculated. The comparison between the two connections shows the superiority of the pentagon connection under fault conditions in terms of efficiency, average torque, torque ripples, and derating factor. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper proposes a hybrid-boost Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) for the Medium-Voltage (MV) Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) employed in subsea applications, such as oil and gas recovery. In the presented architecture, a hybrid-boost MMC with a reduced number of semiconductor devices driving a multiphase Induction Machine (IM) is investigated. The stepped output voltage generated by the MMC reduces or eliminates the filtering requirements. Moreover, the boosting capability of the proposed architecture eliminates the need for bulky low-frequency transformers at the converter output terminals. A detailed illustration of the hybrid-boost MMC operation, the expected limitations/constraints, and the voltage balancing technique are presented. A simulation model of the proposed MV hybrid-boost MMC-based five-phase IM drive has been built to investigate the system performance. Finally, a downscaled prototype has been constructed for experimental verification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the postfault control of a nine-phase six-terminal induction machine (IM) during single open-line fault, which was recently proposed for high-power medium-voltage applications as a promising alternative to conventional six-phase IMs. The required optimal reference currents to provide prefault loading conditions under one-line open are derived using the two most common optimization criteria employed in multiphase drives, namely, maximum torque and minimum loss modes. A postfault controller, based on conventional decoupling Clarke's transformation, is then used to ensure the same controller structure under all conditions. Consequently, the machine characteristic curves, achievable torque, and stator copper losses under these different modes are compared. A comparison with a conventional asymmetrical six-phase winding is also given. A 1.5-Hp prototype IM is used for experimental verification. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The multiphase induction motor is considered to be the promising alternative to the conventional three-phase induction motor, especially in safety-critical applications because of its inherent fault-tolerant feature. Therefore, the attention of many researchers has been paid to develop different techniques for detecting various fault types of multiphase induction motors, to securely switch the control mode of the multiphase drive system to its post-fault operation mode. Therefore, several fault detection methods have been researched and adapted; one of these methods is the indices-based fault detection technique. This technique was firstly introduced to detect open-phase fault of multiphase induction motors. The main advantage of this technique is that its mathematical formulation is straightforward and can easily be understood and implemented. In this paper, the study of the indices-based fault detection technique has been extended to test its applicability in detecting some other stator and rotor fault types of multiphase induction motors, namely, open-phase, open-switch, bad connection and broken rotor bar faults. Experimental and simulation validations of this technique are also introduced using a 1 kW prototype symmetrical six-phase induction motor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In rural and remote areas, solar photovoltaic energy (PV) water pumping systems (SPWPSs) are being favored over diesel-powered water pumping due to environmental and economic considerations. PV is a clean source of electric energy offering low operational and maintenance cost. However, the direct-coupled SPWPS requires inventive solutions to improve the system's efficiency under solar power variations while producing the required amount of pumped water concurrently. This paper introduces a new quadratic V/f (Q V/f) control method to drive an induction motor powered directly from a solar PV source using a two-stage power converter without storage batteries. Conventional controllers usually employ linear V/f control, where the reference motor speed is derived from the PV input power and the dc-link voltage error using a simple proportional–integral (PI) controller. The proposed Q V/f-based system is compared with the conventional linear V/f control using a simulation case study under different operating conditions. The proposed controller expectedly enhances the system output power and efficiency, particularly under low levels of solar irradiance. Some alternative controllers rather than the simple PI controller are also investigated in an attempt to improve the system dynamics as well as the water flow output. An experimental prototype system is used to validate the proposed Q V/f under diverse operating conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]