Reconfigurable Motor Pole Adjustment via Power Converter Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional motor systems struggle to efficiently operate over a wide speed and power range, particularly in applications like industrial drives and electrical vehicles, due to limitations in dynamically adjusting the number of poles and phases, which affects performance and cost requirements.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable motor system with dynamically adjustable poles and phases, achieved through a method involving power converters and control algorithms that adjust winding currents and phase relationships, allowing for real-time optimization of motor performance across various operating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional motor systems operate over a wide speed and power range, then versatility is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The motor system dynamically adjusts the number of poles and phases based on operating conditions. The controller modifies winding connections and power converter configurations in real-time to adapt to different speed and power requirements, enabling efficient operation across a wide range rather than being fixed at a single configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters including the number of poles, number of phases, and winding connections according to operating conditions. By varying these parameters dynamically, the motor maintains optimal energy efficiency whether operating at high speed/low power or low speed/high power conditions.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the number of poles and phases is dynamically adjusted, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power converters serve multiple functions: they control motor speed, adjust the number of poles, change the number of phases, and optimize energy efficiency. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing complexity while achieving dynamic reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical pole-changing mechanisms with electronic control through power converters. Instead of physically reconfiguring the motor structure, the system uses electronic switching and control algorithms to achieve pole and phase adjustments, significantly reducing mechanical complexity.
3Reliability
If reconfigurable motor system is used, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor winding system is segmented into multiple independent phases and pole groups that can be independently controlled. When a fault occurs in one segment, the controller can isolate and disable only the affected segment while maintaining operation with the remaining healthy segments, thereby achieving fault tolerance without requiring complete system redesign.
4Productivity
If dynamic pole adjustment is implemented, then productivity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The motor control system automatically monitors operating conditions and self-adjusts the number of poles and phases without requiring manual intervention. The controller continuously optimizes motor performance based on real-time feedback, enabling the system to serve itself and maintain high productivity while simplifying operator interaction.
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 achieves high performance and efficiency over a wide range of speed and power conditions while reducing costs, enabling continued operation even with faulty components by isolating them and optimizing phase configurations for improved energy efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of windings is configured such that the number of poles of the motor can be dynamically adjustable by adjusting currents flowing through the plurality of windings
Implementation Method 2
reducing a flux strength and a torque of the motor gradually, after the step of reducing the flux strength and the torque of the motor, controlling the plurality of power converters to dynamically adjust the number of poles of the motor and after the step of controlling the plurality of power converters to dynamically adjust the number of poles of the motor, increasing the flux strength and the torque of the motor gradually
Data Source
AI summary
A motor control method comprises detecting operating parameters of a motor system comprising a plurality of windings, a rotor, a stator magnetically coupled to the rotor and a plurality of power converters connected to the plurality of windings, determining, by a controller, a suitable pole number and a preliminary set of operating variables based upon the operating parameters, reducing operating stresses of the motor system gradually and after reducing the operating stresses, configuring the plurality of power converters so as to adjust the number of poles of the motor system according to the suitable pole number.