Microinverter Motor Reconfiguration for Pole Count Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional electric motors are designed to optimize performance in specific contexts, leading to suboptimal efficiency in varying operational conditions due to immutable rotor designs and fixed pole counts, which limits their adaptability to different torque and speed requirements.
Innovation Solution
A dynamically reconfigurable electric motor system that adjusts pole count, winding patterns, magnetomotive force distribution, current, and voltage distribution through a microinverter network, allowing the motor to adapt its configuration based on real-time conditions to optimize performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the motor is designed with fixed pole count and immutable rotor design to simplify structure, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different torque and speed requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor design transitions from static permanent magnets to dynamic electromagnets with independently controllable windings. This allows the pole count and magnetic field distribution to be changed dynamically through control signals, enabling the motor to adapt to different torque and speed requirements without physical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor enables continuous adjustment of key parameters including pole count, winding activation patterns, and current distribution through the controller. By changing these parameters dynamically, the motor optimizes its performance characteristics for different operating conditions while maintaining the same physical structure.
2Reliability
If the motor is designed to optimize performance in specific contexts with fixed configuration, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but efficiency in varying operational conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The motor maintains reliable performance across varying conditions by dynamically adjusting its configuration rather than relying on a single fixed design. The controller continuously monitors operating conditions and reconfigures the rotor windings and stator activation to maintain optimal efficiency while preserving the robustness of the electromagnetic motor structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor design enables a single motor unit to perform multiple functions and operate efficiently across diverse conditions by activating different winding combinations and pole configurations. This multi-functionality allows the motor to adapt to various torque and speed requirements without sacrificing the reliability of its core electromagnetic design.
3Ease of operation
If the motor uses permanent magnets with fixed pole definitions to simplify control, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to changing operational contexts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/permanent magnetic field system with an electromagnetic field system controlled by power electronics. Instead of relying on fixed permanent magnets, the rotor uses electromagnets whose field strength and polarity are controlled electronically, enabling dynamic reconfiguration while maintaining straightforward electronic control through the existing motor controller infrastructure.
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
The system enhances motor efficiency by optimizing performance across different operational contexts, improving torque and speed efficiency by dynamically reconfiguring motor parameters in response to changing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A dynamically reconfigurable electric motor system that adjusts pole count, winding patterns, magnetomotive force distribution, current, and voltage distribution through a microinverter network
Implementation Method 2
A dynamically reconfigurable electric motor system that adjusts pole count, winding patterns, magnetomotive force distribution, current, and voltage distribution
Data Source
AI summary
A reconfigurable electric motor (or machine) that may be reconfigured to improve performance given particular motor conditions. The motor is part of a motor system including a stator, a rotor, a microinverter network including a plurality of microinverters, and a motor controller including processing circuitry. The motor controller controls the plurality of microinverters to drive the motor in accordance with a first configuration of a plurality of motor configurations. The motor controller determines, based on determined motor conditions, to reconfigure the motor from the first configuration to a second configuration, where the first configuration has a first pole count that is different than a second pole count of the second configuration. The motor controller further controls the plurality of microinverters to drive the motor in accordance with the second configuration.