Separately Excited Synchronous Machine Emergency Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing synchronous machines lack robust safety measures to ensure continued operation and efficient torque generation during excitation field failures, which can lead to reduced efficiency and stability.

Innovation Solution

The electric machine is designed with field coils on the rotor, allowing it to operate as a reluctance motor or asynchronous motor when the excitation field is not energized, utilizing existing control electronics and sensors to adapt control methods and generate torque without additional hardware, and incorporating a thermal engine model for temperature simulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the synchronous machine is designed to operate only in synchronous mode with field coils, then high efficiency and high power density are achieved during normal operation, but the machine cannot operate during excitation field failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation continuity during field failureVSAvoidcontrol method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The synchronous machine is designed to perform multiple functions by operating in different modes: synchronous motor mode during normal operation and reluctance motor mode during emergency operation when field coils fail. The rotor design with pronounced poles enables both operating modes without additional hardware, allowing the machine to adapt its function based on operational conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control method dynamically adapts based on the operational state of the field coils. When field coils are energized, synchronous control is applied; when they fail, the control automatically transitions to reluctance motor control. This dynamic adaptation ensures continuous operation while managing the complexity through software-based control switching

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If additional sensors and hardware are added to detect field failure and enable emergency operation, then reliability during field failure is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection of field failureVSAvoidsensor and hardware requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control electronics utilize existing sensors and measurement capabilities already present in the synchronous machine to detect field failure conditions. The system monitors its own state using available data from current and voltage sensors, eliminating the need for additional dedicated failure detection sensors or hardware

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Existing sensors in the synchronous machine are made multi-functional by using them both for normal operation control and for detecting field failure conditions. The same measurement infrastructure serves dual purposes, reducing hardware requirements while maintaining reliable failure detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the machine is designed with high power density and small construction volume, then efficiency is improved, but the machine lacks robustness for emergency operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower densityVSAvoidemergency operation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor is designed with pronounced poles that enable the machine to operate in both synchronous mode (for high power density and efficiency) and reluctance motor mode (for emergency operation). This universal design allows the same compact structure to deliver high performance in normal operation while maintaining robustness for emergency conditions without requiring additional hardware

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables safe emergency operation with efficient torque generation and high power density, maintaining efficiency and stability even during excitation field failures by adapting control methods and utilizing existing sensors and hardware.

Implementation Method 1

fields coils arranged on a rotor of the synchronous machine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

stator windings for generating a rotary field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

a torque can be generated even when the rotor is de-energized

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLorentz force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 4

operated as a reluctance motor or asynchronous motor when the field coils are not energized

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic reluctance: Magnetic Reluctance

Data Source

PatentEP2412090B1Electric machine, method for operating a separately excited synchronous machine and use of a separately excited synchronous machine
Publication Date: 2018.11.21 SEW EURODRIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2412090B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2412090B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a separately excited synchronous machine, to an electric machine and to the use thereof, wherein field coils are arranged at the rotor of the synchronous machine, wherein the synchronous machine is operated as a reluctance machine or as an asynchronous machine in case of non-energization of the field coils, in particular in case of emergency operation and/or excitation field failure.