Dynamically Reconfigurable Motor Pole and Phase Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor and generator systems in variable speed applications face inefficiencies and increased costs due to the use of standard three-phase structures for both motors and power electronics, which are not optimized together, leading to suboptimal performance and high complexity in handling high voltage and current requirements.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dynamically reconfigurable motor/generator system with a controller and power converter that adjusts the number of phases and poles through a pole and phase mapping, allowing for dynamic adjustment of winding currents using phasor control, enabling operation with a lower number of poles at higher speeds and a higher number of poles at lower speeds, and optimizing the system's performance and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standard three-phase motor and power electronics structures are used, then system compatibility and ease of manufacture are improved, but system efficiency and performance are worsened due to lack of optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamically reconfigurable motor systems where the number of phases and poles can be changed during operation. The motor structure allows dynamic reconfiguration of winding connections to adjust the number of active phases (e.g., switching between 3-phase and 6-phase operation) and pole pairs, enabling the system to adapt to different operating conditions and optimize efficiency across varying loads and speeds while maintaining compatibility with standard power electronics
2Power
If the number of poles is increased to improve torque at low speeds, then low-speed performance is improved, but system complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of pole pairs based on operating speed requirements. At low speeds, the controller configures the motor to operate with higher pole pairs to generate sufficient torque. At high speeds, the pole pair number is reduced to maintain optimal performance. This dynamic reconfiguration eliminates the need for fixed high pole-count designs, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining low-speed torque capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the motor system by dynamically adjusting the number of phases and poles through controller manipulation of winding connections. By varying these parameters based on operating conditions, the system achieves high torque at low speeds without requiring a permanently complex high-pole configuration, thus reducing overall device complexity
3Power
If the number of phases is increased to improve power capability, then power output is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motor system dynamically reconfigures the number of active phases based on power requirements. The controller can switch between different phase configurations (e.g., 3-phase for normal operation, 6-phase for high power demands) by reconfiguring winding connections. This allows the system to achieve high power capability when needed while maintaining simpler operation during normal conditions, thereby reducing overall device complexity and cost compared to permanently implementing a high-phase configuration
4Adaptability or versatility
If variable speed operation is implemented, then application versatility is improved, but system cost and complexity increase due to additional power electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal motor system that can operate with different numbers of phases and poles using the same physical windings and power electronics hardware. The controller provides multiple operating modes (different phase counts, pole pairs, and connection configurations) from a single motor structure, eliminating the need for multiple specialized motors or complex additional power electronics for different applications, thus achieving versatility without proportional increases in system complexity
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
This approach reduces system cost, weight, and volume by allowing for efficient operation over a wide speed range with minimal frequency range changes, eliminating the need for mechanical gearboxes and simplifying insulation and cabling requirements, while maintaining high power capability.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of magnetic poles and a plurality of phases in each pair of poles are formed when currents flow through the windings
Implementation Method 2
a phasor control for controlling currents of the windings such that the number of poles of the motor/generator and the number of phases in a pair of poles are dynamically adjusted through a phase relationship between the currents of the windings
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling a motor/generator having a plurality of windings comprises a stator magnetically coupled to a rotor and having a plurality of slots and a plurality of windings, a controller and a power converter means. Each winding is installed in two corresponding slots, and a plurality of magnetic poles and a plurality of phases in each pair of poles are formed when currents flow through the windings, and the windings are configured such that the number of phases and the number of poles can be dynamically. The controller comprises a pole and phase mapping for controlling the winding of the motor/generator to a pole and a phase, and a phasor control for controlling currents of the windings such that the number of poles of the motor/generator and the number of phases in a pair of poles are dynamically adjusted through a phase relationship between the currents of the windings. The power converter means is controlled by the controller for controlling the winding currents of the motor/generator.