Electric Machine Pole Reconfiguration for Variable Speed and Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric motors with fixed pole configurations require significant re-tooling or replacement when operational requirements change, limiting versatility, efficiency, and necessitating complex and costly control systems for variable speed operation.
Innovation Solution
A system for dynamically controlling pole configurations in electric machines using a field circuit with multiple virtual poles, an armature circuit, and a processor to adjust magnetic polarities and armature configurations based on input data, enabling flexible operation without re-tooling or replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electric motors have fixed pole configurations, then manufacturing and control are simpler, but adaptability to changing operational requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pole configuration changeable during operation. The system dynamically adjusts the number of effective poles by controlling which virtual poles are active and their magnetic polarities, allowing the motor to adapt to different speed and torque requirements without physical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a single motor structure that can perform multiple functions with different pole configurations. The field circuit with multiple virtual poles and the armature circuit with reconfigurable connections enable the same motor to operate in different modes (e.g., high-speed low-torque, low-speed high-torque) without requiring separate motors for each application.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electric motors are retooled or replaced for different pole configurations, then operational requirements are met, but cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables dynamic reconfiguration of pole configurations through electronic control rather than physical retooling. The controller can change the number of effective poles by adjusting the magnetic polarities of virtual poles and reconfiguring armature circuit connections, allowing instantaneous adaptation to different operational requirements without stopping production for retooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters (number of effective poles, magnetic polarities, circuit connections) to achieve different performance characteristics. By varying these parameters through electronic control, the system provides operational flexibility equivalent to having multiple motors, but without the time and cost of physical reconfiguration.
3Speed
If variable speed operation is implemented with fixed pole motors, then speed control is achieved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves variable speed operation by dynamically changing the pole configuration rather than relying solely on complex electronic commutation. By adjusting the number of effective poles, the motor's natural speed-torque characteristics change, providing inherent speed control that simplifies the overall control system compared to traditional fixed-pole variable-speed drives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes in the field circuit (activating different virtual poles, changing their polarities) to achieve speed control. This approach provides direct control over the motor's electromagnetic characteristics, offering a simpler alternative to complex PWM-based speed control systems used with fixed-pole motors.
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 electric machines to adapt to changing operational requirements by dynamically adjusting pole configurations, improving efficiency and reducing the need for complex control systems.
Implementation Method 1
a field circuit, of the electric machine, including multiple virtual poles
Implementation Method 2
An electric machine uses electromagnetic interaction between rotor components and stator components to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, a pole configuration device may dynamically control pole configurations of an electric machine. The pole configuration device may receive input data indicating information associated with the electric machine. The pole configuration device may determine, based on the input data, a desired pole configuration of the electric machine. The pole configuration device may control, based on the desired pole configuration, magnetic polarities of multiple virtual poles, included in a field circuit of the electric machine, and an armature configuration, of an armature circuit of the electric machine, to create a set of effective poles. The set of effective poles may include one or more virtual poles, of the multiple virtual poles, that are associated with generating at least one of a flux, a speed, a torque, or a power related to the electric machine.