Dual-Winding Electrical Machine Aging Detection via Inductive Test Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dual wound electrical machines used in aircraft experience aging issues due to winding degradation, requiring effective monitoring and diagnostic capabilities to ensure safety and performance.
Innovation Solution
An electrical machine design with two sets of windings electromagnetically coupled, where a power controller generates a high-frequency test signal to induce a current or voltage in the second set of windings, allowing a detector to measure the response and monitor the machine's condition over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional monitoring methods are used, then the electrical machine can operate, but the ability to detect aging and degradation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second set of windings as an intermediary sensing element that is electromagnetically coupled to the first set of windings. This intermediary allows indirect measurement of the electrical machine's condition by detecting changes in electromagnetic coupling caused by aging, insulation degradation, or winding defects, thereby improving detection precision without interfering with normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional direct electrical measurement methods with electromagnetic induction-based detection. By using electromagnetic fields to couple the two winding sets and detect condition changes, the system achieves higher measurement precision and reliability for monitoring aging effects, insulation degradation, and winding integrity.
2Reliability
If dual wound configuration is used, then fault tolerance is improved, but the complexity of monitoring and diagnostics increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second set of windings serves multiple functions: it acts as a sensing element for condition monitoring, maintains electromagnetic coupling for diagnostic purposes, and can potentially contribute to power generation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated monitoring hardware, thereby managing complexity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical machine performs self-diagnosis by using its own dual winding configuration to detect its own condition. The electromagnetic coupling between the two winding sets enables the machine to monitor its own aging, insulation health, and winding integrity without requiring external complex diagnostic equipment.
3Measurement precision
If electromagnetic coupling between windings is used for diagnostics, then aging detection is improved, but the frequency requirements become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic excitation signals at specific frequencies to induce electromagnetic coupling between the two winding sets. By using periodic action at optimized frequencies, the system achieves high measurement precision for detecting aging effects while managing the frequency requirements through selective excitation rather than continuous high-frequency operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the detection of aging effects and changes in the windings' condition, providing a means to track the deterioration of the electrical machine, thus improving monitoring and diagnostic capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the first set of windings is arranged such that the test signal causes the first set of windings to generate an electromagnetic field; wherein the first set of windings and the second set of windings are arranged relative to each other such that the electromagnetic field generated by the first set of windings induces a current or voltage in the second set of windings
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
An electrical machine (1) includes a first set of windings (2), a second set of windings (4) and a power controller (6) connected to the first set of windings by a first set of feeder cables (8). The power controller controls the current and/or voltage supplied to the first set of windings at a control frequency and generates a test signal to supply to the first set of windings. The test signal has one or more frequency components having a frequency that is significantly higher than the control frequency. The test signal in the first set of windings generates an electromagnetic field that induces a current or voltage in the second set of windings. The power controller includes a detector (16) connected to the second set of windings by a second set of feeder cables (10). The detector measures the voltage and/or current response of the induced current or voltage.