This thesis investigates a novel induction machine topology that uses a rotating power electronic converter. Steady-state and dynamic performance of the topology is studied to understand its operational principle. Furthermore the potential of improving its efficiency and power factor is investigated. The topology is referred to as wound rotor induction machine with rotating power electronic converter (WRIM-RPEC).     The WRIM-RPEC topology offers the possibility to magnetize the induction machine from the rotor side by introducing a reactive voltage in the rotor. Thus, the power factor of the machine can be improved. Constant speed variable load operation can be achieved by setting the frequency of the introduced voltage. Two options of rotor winding and converter configuration in the WRIM-RPEC system are investigated. The wound rotor windings can either be open-ended and fed by a three-phase back-to-back converter or Y-connected and fed by a single three-phase converter. The dc-link in both converter configurations contains only a floating capacitor. These two configurations give different dc-link voltages at the same torque and speed.     Two analytical steady-state models of the topology are developed in this thesis. The first model can be used to analyze the operating condition of the motor at specific speed and torque. Particularly, the operating range of speed and torque of the topology is investigated. The second model is used to analyze variable power factor operation, including unity power factor operation. Analytical calculations and measurements are carried out on a 4-pole, 1.8kW induction machine and the results are compared.      A dynamic mathematic model is then developed for the WRIM-RPEC system for the back-to-back converter configuration. The mathematic model is then applied in Matlab/Simulink to study the dynamic performance of the system including starting, loading and phase-shifting. The simulation results are compared with measurements on the 4-pole, 1.8kW induction machine. Moreover, the simulation model using the existing Simulink blocks are studied to compare with the results obtained from the mathematic model. Furthermore, the dynamic performance of the WRIM-RPEC system with the single converter configuration is investigated. In addition, harmonic spectra analysis is conducted for the stator and rotor currents.     In the last part of the thesis, efficiency improvement is investigated on the 4-pole induction machine when it is assumed to drive a pump load. It is shown that the efficiency can be further improved by decreasing the rotor resistance. Due to space constraints it is however difficult to decrease the rotor resistance in a 4-pole induction machine. An investigation is thus carried out on a standard 12-pole, 17.5kW squirrel-cage induction machine with inherent low power factor. The cage rotor is redesigned to a wound rotor to enable the connection of converter to the rotor windings. An analytical model is developed to design the wound rotor induction machine. The machine performance from calculations is then compared with FEM simulations with good agreement. The analytical model is further used to design several WRIMs with different dimensions and rotor slot numbers. Power factor and efficiency improvement is then explored for these WRIMs. A promising efficiency increase of 6.8% is shown to be achievable. / <p>QC 20161111</p>

This thesis deals with the modeling, analysis and control of a novel brushlessgenerator for wind power application. The generator is named as rotatingpower electronic brushless doubly-fed induction machine/generator (RPEBDFIM/G). A great advantage of the RPE-BDFIG is that the slip power recoveryis realized in a brushless manner. This is achieved by introducing an additionalmachine termed as exciter together with the rotating power electronicconverters, which are mounted on the shaft of a DFIG. It is shown that theexciter recovers the slip power in a mechanical manner, and delivers it backto the grid. As a result, slip rings and carbon brushes can be eliminated,increasing the robustness of the system, and reducing the maintenance costsand down-time of the turbine. To begin with, the dynamic model of the RPE-BDFIG is developed andanalyzed. Using the dynamic model, the working principle of the generatoris understood and its operation explained. The analysis is carried out atspeeds, ±20% around the synchronous speed of the generator. Moreover, thedynamics of the generator due to external load-torque disturbances are investigated.Additionally, the steady-state model is also derived and analyzed forthe machine, when operating in motor mode. As a next step, the closed-loop control of the generator is considered indetail. The power and speed control of the two machines of the generator andthe dc-link voltage control is designed using internal model control (IMC)principles. It is found that it is possible to maintain the stability of thegenerator against load-torque disturbances from the turbine and the exciter,at the same time maintain a constant dc-link voltage of the rotor converter.The closed-loop control is also implemented and the operation of the generatorwith the control theory is confirmed through experiments.In the third part of the thesis, the impact of grid faults on the behaviourof the generator is investigated. The operation of the generator and its responseis studied during symmetrical and unsymmetrical faults. An approachto successful ride through of the symmetrical faults is presented, using passiveresistive network (PRN). Moreover, in order to limit the electrical and mechanicaloscillations in the generator during unsymmetrical faults, the dualvector control (DVC) is implemented. It is found that DVC to a certain extentcan be used to safeguard the converter against large oscillations in rotorcurrents. Finally, for completeness of the thesis, a preliminary physical design ofthe rotating power electronic converter has been done in a finite elementsoftware called ANSYS. The thermal footprint and the cooling capability,with estimates of the heatsink and fan sizes, are presented. Besides, another variant of a rotating electronic induction machine whichis based on the Lindmark concept and operating in a single-fed mode is also investigated. It’s steady-state model is developed and verified through experiments. / <p>QC 20151006</p>

This thesis deals with the steady-state, dynamic and control aspects of new type of brushless configuration of a doubly-fed induction machine in which the slip rings and carbon brushes are replaced by rotating power electronics and a rotating exciter. The aim is to study the stability of this novel configuration of the generator under mechanical and grid disturbances for wind power applications. The derivation, development and analysis of the steady-state model of the brushless doubly-fed induction machine with a rotating excitor and the power electronic converters mounted on the shaft and rotating with it, is studied. The study is performed at rated power of the generator between ±20% slip range. Moreover unity power factor operation between ±20% speed range is also discussed. Furthermore dynamic modeling and control aspects of the generator are also analyzed. The controllers were designed using Internal Model Control principles and vector control methods were used in order to control the generator in a closed-loop system. It is shown that through the use of proper feedback control, the generator behaves in a stable state both at super-synchronous and sub-synchronous speeds. Moreover Low Voltage Ride Through of the generator during symmetrical and unsymmetrical voltage dips is also investigated. Passive Resistive Network strategy is employed for Low Voltage Ride Through of the generator during symmetrical voltage dips. On the other hand, Extended Vector Control is used in order to control the negative sequence currents during unsymmetrical voltage dips. Suppression of negative sequence currents is important as they cause extra heating in the windings and affects the lifetime of the mechanical and electrical components of the generator and system due to oscillations in power and torque. In addition to the above studies a steady-state model of a single-fed induction machine is also developed and investigated where the rotating exciter is removed and the rotor windings are short-circuited through the two rotating power electronic converters. In this way the slip power circulates in the rotor and with the help of the two rotating electronic converters, rotor current is used to magnetize the induction machine thereby improving the power factor. The steady state model is verified through experimental results. / <p>20120914</p> / Brushless Wind Generator with Rotating Power Electronic Converters