Multi-phase Motor Pole Adjustment via Interleaved Power Converters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional motor and generator systems face challenges in efficiently operating over a wide speed and power range, particularly in variable speed applications, due to limitations in dynamically adjusting the number of poles and phases, which results in increased costs and power losses.
Innovation Solution
A cost-effective multi-phase motor system is developed, allowing dynamic adjustment of the number of poles and phases through the use of power converters configured in interleaving modes and synchronized with specific synchronization signals, reducing the need for numerous current sensing devices and minimizing power losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of poles and phases is dynamically adjusted to improve efficiency over a wide speed and power range, then the adaptability and efficiency are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase due to the need for multiple current sensing devices and complex control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power converters into a single integrated power delivery subsystem, eliminating the need for separate current sensing devices for each converter. The system uses a unified control approach where a single controller manages multiple power converters, reducing the overall number of sensing devices and simplifying the system architecture while maintaining the ability to dynamically adjust poles and phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The power delivery subsystem is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple operating modes and configurations. A single power delivery subsystem can serve multiple power converters and support dynamic reconfiguration of the motor system, reducing the need for dedicated components for each function and lowering overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple power converters are used to enable dynamic pole and phase adjustment, then the efficiency and performance are improved, but the power losses increase due to the presence of protective devices and DC link filtering capacitors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary protective devices and large DC link filtering capacitors from the power converter system. By redesigning the power delivery subsystem, the system achieves the required performance without these energy-lossy components, thereby reducing power losses while maintaining dynamic pole and phase adjustment capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operating parameters including the number of poles, phases, and power converter configurations based on the operating conditions. This allows the system to optimize efficiency across a wide speed and power range while minimizing power losses by adapting to the specific operational requirements rather than operating with fixed, suboptimal configurations.
3Measurement precision
If a large number of current sensing devices are deployed to monitor all windings, then the measurement precision is improved, but the cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the current sensing function into a single unified sensing mechanism that serves all power converters and windings. Instead of deploying separate current sensing devices for each winding, the system uses a single controller with integrated sensing capabilities that can monitor and control currents across all phases, significantly reducing the number of sensing devices required while maintaining measurement precision.
4Ease of manufacture
If the system is designed with fixed number of poles and phases, then the manufacturing simplicity and cost are improved, but the adaptability to variable speed applications is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic motor system where the number of poles and phases can be changed during operation through software control of the power converters. This dynamic capability allows the motor to adapt to variable speed applications while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes, as the physical structure remains fixed and only the electrical control configuration changes to achieve different operating modes.
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 efficiency and reliability over a wide range of speed and power conditions while reducing system costs, enabling continued operation even with failed components by dynamically reconfiguring the number of phases.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of power converters are coupled to a plurality of windings of the motor. The controller is configured to control the plurality of power converters to dynamically adjust the number of poles of the motor
Implementation Method 2
An electric machine (motor or generator) is an apparatus converting energy between electric power and mechanical rotary motion
Implementation Method 3
The first magnetic field induces electric currents in the metal bars of the rotor. The induced currents produce a second magnetic field in the rotor. The second magnetic field of the rotor reacts against the first magnetic field of the stator
Data Source
AI summary
A motor control method includes providing a motor comprising a plurality of windings, a rotor and a stator magnetically coupled to the rotor, coupling a plurality of power converters to the plurality of windings, configuring the plurality of power converters to operate in a first interleaving mode, 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, configuring the plurality of power converters to leave the first interleaving mode and enter into a second interleaving mode.