Microinverter-Controlled Motor Reconfiguration for Pole Count Switching
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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 fixed magnetic pole counts and winding configurations, 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 for real-time adaptation to changing motor conditions by reconfiguring the stator and rotor configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the motor is designed with fixed pole count and winding configuration to optimize performance in specific contexts, then performance in that specific context is improved, but efficiency in varying operational conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of the motor's pole count and winding connections through switching circuitry controlled by a controller. The motor can switch between different configurations (e.g., different numbers of poles, series/parallel winding arrangements) based on operating conditions such as torque demands and speed requirements, allowing the motor to adapt its characteristics in real-time rather than being fixed for a single operating point
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key motor parameters including pole count, winding connection topology (series, parallel, series-parallel), and effective number of turns by reconfiguring the stator and rotor windings. These parameter changes allow the motor to optimize its performance characteristics for different operating conditions, transforming the motor from a fixed-parameter device to a variable-parameter system
2Reliability
If the motor is designed with adequate performance for each context by balancing design considerations, then performance adequacy in each context is achieved, but operating efficiency in each context deteriorates to suboptimal levels
Solution Approach 1:
The motor system dynamically switches between different configurations based on real-time operating conditions. When high torque is required, the motor reconfigures to provide high torque optimization; when speed is prioritized, it reconfigures for speed optimization. This dynamic adaptation ensures the motor operates at or near peak efficiency for each specific operating condition rather than compromising efficiency for broad adequacy
Solution Approach 2:
The controller monitors operating conditions and adjusts motor parameters including pole count and winding connections to match the current operational context. This parameter adaptation allows the motor to achieve optimal efficiency in each context by selecting the configuration best suited for the current torque and speed requirements, rather than maintaining a fixed compromise design
3Stability of the object's composition
If permanent magnet machines are designed with fixed rotor magnetic fields, then magnetic field stability is achieved, but reconfiguration capability deteriorates making pole count immutable
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor magnetic field is segmented into multiple independent permanent magnet groups that can be independently controlled. Each magnet group can be individually switched or deactivated, allowing the effective pole count to be changed by selectively engaging different magnet groups. This segmentation enables reconfiguration capability while maintaining stable magnetic fields during each operating configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control of previously static permanent magnet fields through switching circuitry that can selectively activate or deactivate different magnet groups in the rotor. This allows the rotor magnetic field configuration to change dynamically based on operating conditions, enabling pole count reconfiguration while maintaining field stability within each configured state
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
Enhances motor performance by optimizing efficiency across different operational contexts, improving torque and speed performance by dynamically adjusting motor configurations based on current conditions.
Implementation Method 1
controlling microinverters of a microinverter network to drive the motor in accordance with a first configuration of a plurality of motor configurations
Implementation Method 2
The first configuration has a first pole count that is different than a second pole count of the second configuration
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.