Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1999. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-56). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1999. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-56). Also available on the Internet.

Pages 6-12 missing. / Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The transverse flux machine (TFM) offers the opportunity of high torque to volume ratios which makes it an excellent candidate for direct wheel drives and low speed generator applications. TFMs have a three dimensional flux path which eliminates iron laminates as a viable core material. Soft magnetic composites have been adopted in these machines due to their isotropic nature. There are three main variants of TFMs, namely, active rotor (with magnets on the rotor), passive rotor (with magnets on the stator), and reluctance (with no magnets). As a relatively recent development in electrical machines, the TFM still has many hurdles facing its adoption in industry. Some of these hurdles are high cogging torque, a difficult construction, and expensive materials. This thesis focuses on the design of a three phase 50 kW passive rotor machine. Finite element simulation is used to determine the optimal configuration, and the final machine is analysed in detail. The construction process and associated problems are also detailed. The completed machine did not perform to the desired specification, but much knowledge was gleaned about the TFM, the construction caveats, and future potential directions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die transversale-vloed masjien (TFM) met sy hoe draaimoment tot volume verhouding, is 'n uitstekende kandidaat vir direkte wiel aandrywing en lae spoed generator toepassings. Die vioed pad van die masjiene is drie-dimensioneel, wat yster laminasies as kern materiaal elimineer. "Soft magnetic composites" kan gebruik word vir hierdie masjiene as gevolg van hulle isotropiese eienskappe. Daar bestaan drie hoof variante van die TFM, naamlik, die aktiewe rotor (met magnete op die rotor), passiewe rotor (met magnete op to stator), en reluktansie (sonder magnete). Die TFM is 'n redelike nuwe tipe masjien en daar is nog probleme wat opgelos moet word voordat die industrie sal begin om dit te gebruik. Van hierdie probleme is "cogging" draaimoment, 'n moeilike konstruksie en duur materiale. Die fokus van hierie tesis is op die ontwerp van 'n 50 kW drie-fase passiewe rotor masjien. Eindige element simulasie is gebruik om die optimale konfigurasie te kry, en 'n analise is gedoen op die finale masjien. Die konstruksie proses en die probleme wat daarmeer saam gaan is ook beskryf. Die prototipe masjien wat gebou is het nie aan sy oorspronklike spesifikasie voldoen nie, maar baie kennis is opgedoen oor die TFM, die konstruksie proses, en potensiele toekomende toepassings.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The thesis describes the optimum rotor design and performance of a 110kW Permanent-Magnet assisted (PM-assisted) Reluctance Synchronous traction Machine (RSM) using bonded permanent magnet sheets. Particular attention is given to the performance of the machine drive in the flux-weakening speed region. A detail explanation is given of the finite-element design optimisation, the basic principles of operation and the control-design of the PM-assisted RSM drive. A theoretical torque comparison of the PM-assisted RSM, the standard RSM and the induction machine is also done. The measured and calculated results of the different drives are presented and analysed in detail. It is concluded that the performance of the PM-assisted RSM in terms of torque, voltage and power factor compares favourably well with that of the induction machine in both the constant torque and flux-weakening speed regions. Furthermore, it is shown that the temperature rise of the stator winding of the PMassisted RSM is lower than that of the RSM with both machines at the same load. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die tesis beskryf die optimum rotor ontwerp en vermoë van 'n 110 kW Permanent- Pagnet-ondersteunde (PM-ondersteunde) Reluktansie Sinchroon Masjien (RSM) trekkrag aandryfstelsel. Spesifieke aandag word gegee aan die vermoë van die aandryfstelsel in die vloedverswakking spoedgebied. 'n Volledige verduideliking word gegee van die eindige-element ontwerp optimering, die basiese beginses van werking en die beheer-ontwerp van die PM-ondersteunde RSM aandryfstelsel. 'n Teoretiese vergelyking van die draaiumoment-vergelyking van die PM-ondersteunde RSM, die standard RSM en die induksmasjien word gedoen. Die berekende en gemete resultate van die verskillende aandryfstelsels word in detail aangebied en ge-analiseer. Dit is gevind dat die vermoë van die PM-ondersteunde RSM in terne van draairnoment, spanning en arbeidsfaktor gunstig vergelyk met dit van die induksiemasjien in beide die konstante draairnoment en vloedverswakking spoedgebiede. Verder word getoon dat die temperatuur-styging van die statorwinding van die PM-ondersteunde RSM laer is as die van die RSM, met deide masjiene by die selfde las

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Two distinct simulation methods have been developed to simulate the single and the multi-phase excited current waveforms of the switched reluctance machine (SRM) under single pulse mode operation. These simulation methods are explained and evaluated in this thesis. A non-commercial finite element package that takes the SRM's nonlinear magnetic property into account is used in this regard. The simulation program uses the finite element solution directly during the simulation. Both simulation methods have been investigated in terms of result and total simulation time. In this investigation it is shown how feasible the simulation methods will be with the next generation of fast computers. The factors affecting the simulated current waveforms of the SRM under single pulse mode operation are investigated in detail in this thesis. With these factors taken into account, the measured and simulated multi-phase current waveforms are compared with each other and discussed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Twee verskillende simulasie metodes is ontwikkel om die enkel- en multi-fase stroomgolfvorms van die geskakelde reluktansiemasjien (GRM) onder enkelpulsmodus-werking te simuleer. In hierdie tesis word hierdie simulasie metodes verduidelik en geëvalueer. 'n Nie-kommersiële eindige element pakket wat die nielinieêre magnetiese eienskap van die GRM in ag neem is in hierdie verband gebruik. Die simulasie program gebruik die eindige-element oplossing direk gedurende die simulasie. Beide simulasie metodes is ondersoek in terme van resultaat en simulasietyd. In hierdie ondersoek word getoon hoe uitvoerbaar hierdie tipe simulasie metodes gaan wees met die volgende hoë spoed generasie rekenaars. Die faktore wat die gesimuleerde stroomgolfvorms van die GRM onder enkelpulsmodus-werking beïnvloed word deeglik in hierdie tesis ondersoek. Met hierdie faktore in ag geneem word die gemete en gesimuleerde multi-fase stroomgolfvorms met mekaar vergelyk en bespreek.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis describes. the design and evaluation of a constant current angle controller for a variable speed reluctance synchronous machine (RSM) drive, as an energy efficient high performance drive. An accurate model of the RSM, with the use of finite element analysis, is derived and implemented in simulation software. The current- and speed controllers are designed and evaluated using a complete simulation model of the whole drive. The controller is implemented on a TMS320F240 DSPbased digital controller, which was developed. The dynamic performance of the constant-current-angle control is compared with that of the conventional constant-daxis- current control method. The results obtained from the RSM drive confirm the simulation results. In the comparison of the two control methods it is shown that the constant-current-angle controlled RSM drive is an energy-efficient drive with good dynamic performance. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis beskryf die ontwerp en evaluering van 'n konstante stroomhoek beheerder vir 'n reluktansie sinchroon masjien (RSM) aandryfstelsel vir optimum effektiwiteit en dinamika. 'n Akkurate model van die RSM, met behulp van eindige element analise, is opgestel en geimplimenteer in 'n simulasie pakket. Die stroom- en spoedbeheerders is ontwerp en geëvalueer deur middel van 'n simulasiemodel vat die volledige aandryfstelsel. Die beheerder is geimplimenteer deur gebruik te maak van 'n TMS320F240 DSP-gebaseerde digitale beheerder, wat ontwikkel is. Die konstantestroornhoek beheer is vergelyk met die konvensionele konstante-d-as-stroom beheer metode. Die resultate van die praktiese stelsel korreleer baie goed met die resultate van die simulasie. Deur die vergelyking van die twee metodes is dit bevind dat die konstante-stroomhoek beheerde RSM aandryfstelsel 'n energie effektiewe aandryfstelsel met baie goeie dinamiese vermoë is.

No description available.

A microprocessor control scheme for variable speed switched reluctance motor(SRM) drives is discussed. A particular implementation derived from first principles of the SRM is presented. The Intel 8088 microprocessor is used for the design implementation. It is shown that given the control requirements of the SRM like firing different phases according to rotor position and phase currents, a microprocessor controller is a good choice. The controller is economical since it uses standard TTL chips. The slow response at low speeds is also discussed. Experimental results performed on a static inductive load using a simulated position feedback are presented, showing how the current control available at lower speeds is lost at higher speeds, due to limited dc bus voltage. A listing of the controller software with adequate comments and the circuit diagrams are appended. / Master of Science

Switched Reluctance Motors (SRMs) are gaining recognition due to their robust design, cost-effectiveness, fault tolerance, and reliable high-speed performance, positioning them as promising alternatives to traditional electric motors. However, SRMs face high torque ripples, vibration, acoustic noise, and nonlinear modeling complexities. Through careful geometry design optimization, these drawbacks can be mitigated. Design optimization for SRMs is a multi-objective and nonlinear problem that requires an accurate finite element analysis (FEA) model to relate designable parameters to output objectives. The geometric design process follows a multi-stage and iterative approach, leading to prohibitive computational time until the optimal design is reached. Machine learning algorithms (MLAs) have recently acquired attention in electric machine design. This study introduces an extensive analysis of various MLAs applied to SRM modeling and design. Additionally, it presents a robust framework for a comprehensive evaluation of these MLAs, facilitating the selection of the optimal machine learning topology for SRM design. Existing research on the geometry optimization of SRMs using MLAs has focused only on the machine’s static characteristics. This thesis introduces an advanced optimization method utilizing an MLA to act as a surrogate model for both static and dynamic characteristics of the SRM. The dynamic model incorporates conduction angles optimization to enhance the torque profile. The proposed MLA is applied to map out the SRM geometrical parameters, stator and rotor pole arc angles and their dynamic performance metrics, such as average torque and torque ripples. The optimal design improves the average torque and significantly reduces the torque ripples. Radial forces constitute a critical objective that should be considered alongside average torque, efficiency, and torque ripple in the design optimization of SRMs. Accurate modeling of radial forces is a prerequisite for optimizing motor geometry to mitigate their adverse effects on vibrations and acoustic noise. This work presents an MLA-based surrogate model for the most influential radial force harmonic components, facilitating the integration of radial force reduction into a multi-objective optimization framework. The proposed optimization framework employs two MLA-based surrogate models: the first correlates SRM pole arc angles with average torque and torque ripples, while the second models the most significant radial force harmonics. A genetic algorithm leverages these surrogate models to predict new geometrical parameters that enhance the SRM's torque profile and reduce radial forces. The optimization framework significantly reduced torque ripples and radial forces while slightly increasing average torque. The optimal design candidates were verified using FEA and MATLAB simulations, confirming the effectiveness of the proposed method, which offers significant computational time savings compared to traditional FEA techniques. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis (PhD (Electric and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / The focus of this thesis is on the critical evaluation of the torque performance of the optimum designed reluctance DC machine (RDCM). The thesis focuses on multi-phase RDCM drives with normal laminated salient pole rotors allowing for high power and high-speed applications. An RDCM is a normal reluctance synchronous machine (RSM) but with direct control of flux and torque just as in brush DC machines. Flux and torque of the RDCM are controlled directly by the use of special phase current waveforms. Specific attention is given in the thesis for the selection of the best current waveform for the RDCM allowing for smooth rotating airgap MMF and less ripple torque. The absolute optimum designed RDCM can best be obtained by the use of the finite element (FE) method in the design optimisation process. In this thesis a multi-dimensional FE based design optimisation method for the optimum design of the current controlled RDCM is implemented. To compare the torque performance of the RDCM with other RSMs the torque performances of optimum designed 3-phase, 5-phase and 5-phase with the injection of third harmonic current RSMs are performed under the same copper losses and stack volume. The torque performances of RSMs are done with both salient pole rotor and the round rotor with internal flux barriers. The armature reaction effect of 6-phase RDCMs is also investigated in detail by considering three different rotor structures. These rotor structures are the standard salient pole rotor, the salient pole rotor with slitted poles and the salient pole rotor with chamfered poles. It was shown that the RDCM with the salient pole rotor has a severe armature reaction effect, which can be reduced by slitted or chamfered salient pole rotors. A per-phase equivalent circuit model of the 6-phase RDCM is also proposed in this thesis. The torque of the machine is calculated based on the per-phase equivalent model and compared with the torque calculated by the FE Maxwell stress tensor method. There is a good agreement between these calculated torques. This thesis shows that the implemented FE based optimisation method can be applied with success to optimally design current controlled RDCMs. It was found, amongst other things, that the torque performance of the optimum designed 6-phase RDCM is slightly higher than that of the optimum designed 5-phase RSM with the injection of 3rd harmonic currents and with the same copper losses and stack volume. The analytical and FE calculated results are confirmed by measured results on a 35 kW 6-phase RDCM drive.