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This paper proposes a novel hybrid excitation permanent magnet (PM) machine with an independent ac excitation port to extend the speed range and improve the torque capability. The proposed machine is characterized by an axial stator placed in one side of the rotor, which provides a shunted flux path of the radial stator. The prominent merit of the proposed machine is that it can make better utilization of the PM flux and offer a large flux regulation capability because the radial flux and the axial flux are in parallel to each other. Thorough analysis of the field distribution is performed by three-dimensional (3-D) finite-element analysis, and different operation modes of the proposed machine are illustrated and compared. Then, the flux regulation capability of the machine is analyzed using the simplified magnetic equivalent circuit, which is proved to give reasonable precision, indicating that the flux regulation ratio only depends on the design parameters of the ac excitation port. Finally, a 36-slot/six-pole prototype using the proposed configuration is built and tested. It is verified that the proposed machine exhibits excellent performance of flux regulation, thus offering a good potential to be used in wide-speed-range driving applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel parallel-hybrid dual permanent magnet (PM) machine topology with both enhanced torque density and improved flux weakening capability is proposed for electric vehicle propulsion in this paper. The key is to artificially construct the harmonics diversity with a single-layer concentrated armature winding in the stator and thus simultaneously couple the armature field with the excitation field produced by slot PM, rotor PM, and stator dc source, respectively. Enhanced torque density is obtained in this new topology due to the symmetrical flux-modulation effect between dual PM sources. Moreover, benefiting from a parallel excitation characteristic of hybrid magnetic circuit, the demagnetization risk is significantly mitigated for slot PM source and thus an extended flux weakening range is obtained. In this paper, the proposed new topology and its design mechanism are investigated, along with its electromagnetic performance evaluated based on finite-element analysis. Further, some leading design parameters are analyzed and determined to provide a design guideline for the proposed new topology. Finally, a prototype is built and fully tested. Relevant experimental results agree well with the finite-element predication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various articles within the issue on topics including interior permanent magnets, synchronous reluctance machines, and adoption of optimization techniques.

Presents the table of contents for this issue of the publication. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper presents a design optimization methodology of a hybrid-excited flux-switching machine (HEFSM) for aircraft dc power generation. Hybrid machines are favored in new aircraft embedded generation systems because of their high power density. Their flux control capability allows the use of the more reliable diode bridge rectifier and makes them suitable for wide-speed-range dc power generation. However, in order to respect aviation safety requirements, these machines must have a limited remanent voltage, and, therefore, an optimal design is needed. At first, the electromagnetic performances of the HEFSM are studied using a transient finite-element model. In order to perform design optimization, a static method is used instead. This method is shown to be much less time consuming and more suitable for optimization routines. The results have shown very promising performances of the new design. Despite having a very small remanent voltage, high power density has still been achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new topology of hybrid-excited flux-switching machine with excitation coils located in stator slots (or inner dc windings). After describing the three-phase structure to be investigated, the working principle is discussed, and the main electromagnetic performances are simulated by finite-element (FE) analysis. It is demonstrated that the air-gap field can be easily controlled, which is interesting for variable-speed applications. Finally, a prototype having 12 stator poles and different rotor tooth numbers (10 or 14) was built. Experiments were performed, validating the FE simulations and the operation principle. Finally, the thermal behavior of the prototype machine is investigated through experiments. It is shown that, up to 12 000 r/min, the thermal stabilization is achieved, making this topology an excellent candidate for high-speed applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an analytical approach for the determination of the mechanical eigenfrequencies of an electrical machine stator. This model is based on the calculation and the minimization of Rayleigh's quotient. It uses an energetic approach from beam theory applied to stators with a Timoshenko kinematic model. This model is very specially adapted for stators with a thick yoke as the high-speed machines. This approach is validated by finite-element simulations and experimental measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two motors are studied and optimized for transportation applications. The objective is to design motors whose external model is well suited for conventional vector control. Hence, in the design procedure, the emphasis is on the back-electromotive force (EMF) waveforms and external parameters. The first topology is a surface-mounted (nonsalient pole) motor with segmented magnets reducing significantly selected harmonics. The second is an inset magnet type (salient pole) motor with surface poles particularly shaped to reduce the harmonic content of the air gap flux density. For both motors, the principle of pulse width modulation is used for the harmonic reduction in the design process. The interest of these motors lies in the sinusoidal waveform of their back EMF allowing a simple vector control even at field-weakening region for high speeds. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Permanent magnet (PM) brushless machines having magnets and windings in stator (the so-called stator-PM machines) have attracted more and more attention in the past decade due to its definite advantages of robust structure, high power density, high efficiency, etc. In this paper, an overview of the stator-PM machine is presented, with particular emphasis on concepts, operation principles, machine topologies, electromagnetic performance, and control strategies. Both brushless ac and dc operation modes are described. The key features of the machines, including the merits and drawbacks of the machines, are summarized. Moreover, the latest development of the machines is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In safety critical aerospace applications, fault-tolerant drives can help reach the necessary system reliability levels without replicating the entire drive system and thus minimizing the overall system weight. Machine selection and design for fault tolerance has to be considered at an early stage to ensure optimal performance at a system level. This paper looks at the fault-tolerant properties of permanent-magnet flux-switching machines (PMFSMs) and proposes a new configuration able to fulfill the fault-tolerant requirements. PMFSMs have the distinct property of having a robust rotor construction with the permanent magnets embedded in the stator while having their operational characteristics similar to those of synchronous permanent-magnet machines. While these machines have numerous inherent advantages for achieving a high power density, in their basic form, they are not tolerant to short-circuit winding failures. This paper will look at a novel stator structure able to achieve a 1-p.u. winding inductance and will subsequently look at design iterations to maximize the torque density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Author and subject indexes for the December 2008 issue of the periodical are presented.

This paper proposes new practical optimal current control methods for a newly emerging class of synchronous motors with hybrid rotor fields by both permanent magnet and winding. In a practical situation with limited voltage, the extensively used permanent-magnet synchronous motor hardly achieves an ideal performance in an energy-efficient manner due to its constant magnet field, which simultaneously allows both low-speed high-torque and wide speed-range operations. The hybrid-field synchronous motors (HFSMs) are potential candidates that can achieve the ideal performance as practical motors with control- lable hybrid rotor field. HFSMs can dynamically control the rotor flux according to the operation requirements by the low-speed, high-torque, and wide speed-range operations, etc. For the HFSMs, the same torque can be produced by a variety of stator and rotor currents due to the nonlinearity between the torque and the currents. Produced losses and required voltages depend upon the associated currents. Consequently, in the situation that current control systems are well constructed, appropriate determination of a set of stator and rotor current commands plays a key role to achieve the ideal performance in an energy-efficient manner. The proposed methods determine the current commands corresponding to a given torque command such that the total winding copper losses due to the stator and rotor currents can be minimized if the exact currents associated with the torque command exist; the best approximate torque can be produced if no exact associated currents exist, which is, of course, under the circumstance of a voltage limitation. The determined current commands are optimal in the sense of energy efficiency or degree of approximation under voltage limitation. New recursive algorithms searching the optimal current solution in real-time are also given as parts of the methods. The proposed methods are analytical but practical, whose usefulness is verified through experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]