America’s energy crunch— something new for a country that has been used to great affluence. America’s smog— an eye stinging, lung burning situation which the Environmental Protection Agency has "promised" to rectify. These are two outstanding problems that face the engineer and scientist of today. The end of the era of cheap gasoline has brought the beginnings of a quiet revolution to Detroit: an improvement in the efficiency, economy and emission level of the American automobile. Word has penetrated to the automotive engineers that the emissions level, fuel economy and automobile safety are the prime design considerations for the automobile of the future.

ual-three phase permanent magnet synchronous motors (DTP-PMSM) are becom ing more popular in the automotive field. Their potential to increase the reliability and efficiency of the vehicle makes them an attractive replacement for the three phase alternative. However, the increased number of phases makes the control of the machine more complex. As a result, conventional controllers can see reduced perfor mance, especially at high speeds and torques. Currently, with the increased process ing power of modern micro-controllers and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), many researchers are investigating whether finite-control set model predictive control (FCS-MPC) can be a suitable alternative. FCS-MPC is simple to implement and can achieve a better dynamic performance when compared to other controllers. Furthermore, the algorithm can be augmented for specific optimization goals and non-linearities to the system, which gives the designer creativity in improving the system response. However, Model-Predictive Control suffers from a variable switching frequency as well as reduced steady-state performance. It generally has increased current ripple in the phase currents. This thesis presents a method of reducing the steady-state ripples in FCS-MPC by introducing the use of virtual-flux in the model equations, the incremental model, and a dynamic vector search-space. All three of these applications make FCS-MPC have a iv significantly improved steady-state performance when compared to the conventional algorithm, while still keeping the benefit of the improved dynamic response. The benefits of the proposed techniques techniques are verified through simulation as well as on an experimental setup. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

The 3/4-race cam and dual carburetors tested in this investigation provided moderate increases in maximum power output at speeds above 3000 rpm, The fuel consumption was reduced by the use of the racing type cam and increased with the use of two standard carburetors. However in the latter case it is possible that the economy would have been improved had the proper carburetor jets been installed. The maximum power afforded by the dual carburetors occurred at about the same speed as that for the stock engine whereas the maximum power afforded by the 3/4-race cam occurred at 250 rpm higher than that of the stock engine. Large increases in maximum power output and increase in the speed for maximum power were provided by a combination of a 3/4-race cam and dual carburetors. However the gain in speed and power was obtained at the expense of fuel consumption. The above modifications in engine equipment were beneficial for high speed operation, the only advantage at low speeds being an increase in the accelerating ability of the engine. / Master of Science

The Switched Reluctance Motors(SRM) have gained considerable attention in the variable speed drive market mainly due to the simple construction of the motor and the possibility of developing low cost converters and controllers. As these machines are under development, a considerable amount of research effort is directed to the experimental performance evaluation of the SRM drives. System efficiency, electromagnetic torque, torque ripple, output and losses are some of the required measurements. / Master of Science

Thesis: B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Physics, 1982 / Vita. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 185). / by Osa Edward Fitch. / B.S. / B.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Physics

Several new nonlinear algorithms for speed control of electrical drives are developed. They are compared with the algorithms for integral-proportional (I-P) control, sliding mode control (SLM) and adaptive control which uses the torque and parameter observer. To achieve fast and robust response, all algorithms use very large gains. In a new, variable limit PI (VLPI) control algorithm, integrator windup is completely prevented by using a high gain, "variable dead zone" nonlinearity as a local feedback over the integrator. Recently proposed soft variable structure (SVS) control, derived by using the Liapunov direct method, is modified so that the algorithm can be implemented with only the output measurements. Proper operation is achieved for any value of the output variable. The new control is very robust, but exhibits a steady state error. Two versions of the adaptive PI (API) control algorithm are developed that have fast and robust transient response with zero steady state error. The SVS API version operates similarly as the modified SVS control, but does not have its drawbacks. The SLM API version operates like the SLM control during large transients, and like VLPI control when close to the steady state. The local stability of the control is proved using the "small gain theorem". Its global behavior is analyzed by describing functions. Very good operation of the SVS API speed control within the proportional position loop is demonstrated. Faster transient response is achieved by implementing the SLM adaptive proportional control in the position loop. The operation is the same as the operation of the SLM API control in the speed loop. Similarity between modified SVS control, and classical adaptive algorithms is shown. API control, All the algorithms are simulated and compared for twofold and tenfold changes in plant parameters. The experimental verification of the results for I-P control, SLM control, and modified SVS control, are presented. Theory of the new algorithms is general, such that the results are applicable to any SISO plant that can be stabilized. / Ph. D.

The permanent magnet motors have become essential parts of modern motor drives recently because need for high efficiency and accurate dynamic performance arose in the industry. Some of the advantages they possess over other types of electric motors include higher torque density, higher efficiency due to absence of losses caused by field excitation, almost unity power factor, and almost maintenance free construction. With increasing need for specialized PM motors for different purposes and areas, much effort has also gone to design methodologies. In this thesis a design model is developed for surface PM motors. This model is used with an available optimization algorithm for the optimized design of a PM motor. Special attention is paid to measurement of parameters of a sample PM motor. As a result of this study, an effective analytical model with a proven accuracy by measurement results is developed and applied in a design process of a surface PM motor. Parametric and performance results of analytical model and tests have been presented comparatively. A prototype motor has been realized and tested.

Induction motors are reliable and widely used in industrialised nations. However induction motors, like any other machine, will eventually fail. If the failure is not anticipated, it can result in a significant revenue loss. Therefore, there is a strong need to develop an efficient maintenance program. The most cost-effective solution is condition-based maintenance. An effective condition-based maintenance program requires an on-line condition monitoring system that can diagnose the condition of an induction motor in order to determine the types of faults and their severity while the motor is under a normal operating condition. The work in this thesis investigates the detection of stator and rotor faults (i.e. shorted turn faults, eccentricity faults, and broken rotor bar faults) using three types of sensor signals (i.e. current, leakage flux, and vibration) under different loading conditions. The work is based on an extensive series of sensor measurements taken using a number of nominally identical healthy machines (2.2 kW) and custom-modified machines (2.2 kW) with configurable stator and rotor fault settings. The thesis starts by investigating the estimation of rotor speed and rotor slot number. These two parameters are important in determining the fault frequency components that are used for detecting the stator and rotor faults. The rotor speed investigation compares four different estimation methods from the three different sensor signal types. It is found that the speed estimation techniques based on the eccentricity harmonics and the rotor frequency in the stator current, the axial leakage flux, and the motor vibration sensor signals can detect the rotor speed very accurately even when the load is as low as 2%. Similarly, this thesis proposes three different rotor slot number estimation techniques from the three different types of sensors and demonstrates that all three techniques can estimate the rotor slot number accurately. In addition, it is shown that the reliability of the estimation techniques can be increased significantly when the three techniques are combined. The shorted turn investigation in this thesis examines and compares potential shorted turn features in the three sensor signal types under five different fault severities and ten different loading conditions. The useful shorted turn features are identified in the thesis, and then examined against variations between the healthy machines in order to determine the loads and the fault severities in which the feature can reliably detect the faults. The results show that the feature based on the EPVA (extended Park’s vector approach) is the best method. This feature can detect turn to turn faults with a severity of 3.5% or greater at loads greater than 20% and phase to phase turn faults with a severity of 1.7% or greater under all loading conditions. However, estimating the fault severity is generally found to be difficult. The thesis also examines the feasibility of detecting static eccentricity faults using the different types of sensor signals under ten different loading conditions. The thesis compares potential eccentricity features under nine different fault severities. The useful features are identified and then combined through weighted linear combination (WLC) in order to produce a better eccentricity fault indicator. The indicator begins to show significant magnitude variation when the fault severity is greater than or equal to 25% and the load is greater than or equal to 25%. The experimental results show that detecting the static eccentricity faults is possible but estimating the fault severity may be difficult. Furthermore, the effects of misalignment faults on the useful eccentricity features are investigated. In this thesis, the analysis of broken rotor bar faults is performed under motor starting and rundown operation. The starting analysis introduces a new approach to detect broken rotor bar faults that utilises the wavelet transform of the envelope of the starting current waveform. The results of the wavelet transform are then processed in order to develop a normalised parameter, called the wavelet indicator. It is found that the wavelet indicator can detect a single broken bar under all loading conditions during motor starting operation. The indicator also increases its magnitude as the severity of the fault increases. On the other hand, the rundown analysis proposes several broken rotor bar fault detection techniques which utilise the induced voltage in the stator windings and the stator magnetic flux linkage after supply disconnection. The experimental results show that detecting the faults during rundown is generally difficult. However, the wavelet approach, which is based on monitoring changes in the motor torque for a given slip, seems to give the best result. / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 2008

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1978 W44 / Master of Science

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Engineering Degree, Department of Electronic Engineering, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / The aim of this research project is to design a three phase four quadrant variable speed drive (VSD) for a permanent magnet brushless direct current motor (PMBLDC) that can be applied to an electric bicycle (e-bike). The design is confined to PMBLDC motors with a maximum power rating of 1.5kW. The speed controller operates in current mode at a maximum voltage and current rating of 50V and 30A, respectively. The VSD has the ability to smoothly control the current delivered to the DC motor and therefore controls its torque. The motor’s current is limited in all four quadrants of operation, and its speed is limited in the forward and reverse directions. The performance of the proposed DC motor VSD system is tested on an electric- bicycle. The PMBLDC motor has three hall sensors embedded into the stator to determine rotor position. A phase switcher module interprets the position signals and produces a switching pattern. This effectively transforms the BLDC motor into a direct current (DC) brushed motor. The unipolar switching scheme used ensures that current flows out of the battery only for motoring operation and into the battery during regenerative braking. The current and torque are directly proportional in a BLDC motor. Torque control is achieved in the BLDC motor using a single channel current controller. The phase switcher current is monitored and used to control the duty cycle of the synchronous converter switches. The proposed e-bike speed control system provides efficient control in all four quadrants of operation and it is a suitable alternative for a low cost transportation mode. / M