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The effectiveness of active vibration cancellation by inducing antiphase vibration of the stator to reduce the acoustic noise emitted from a switched reluctance machine is evaluated under typical operating modes, viz., single pulse excitation, pulsewidth modulation (PWM) voltage control, and PWM current control. Measurements in both the frequency and time domains are complemented by sound pressure level measurements. It is shown that active vibration cancellation is most effective in reducing a single mode of vibration when a switched reluctance (SR) machine is operated under single-pulse excitation, and becomes less effective when more than one dominant vibration mode exists within the audible frequency range. In general, it also works relatively well when the machine is operated under fixed frequency PWM voltage control, although less effectively than for single pulse control. Further, it is shown that the technique is ineffective when the machine is operated under PWM current control since the duration of the zero voltage period varies significantly from the optimal value due to the random nature of the PWM. Index Terms--Noise and vibration, noise reduction, switched reluctance (SR) machines.

The paper describes an analytical technique for predicting the eddy-current loss in the moving armature of a tubular permanent magnet machine. This loss component is usually neglected in conventional tubular permanent magnet machines since high-order time harmonics in the stator current waveform and space harmonics in the winding magnetomotive force (MMF) distribution are generally considered to be insignificant. However, a relatively new topology of tubular permanent magnet machine, sometimes referred to as 'modular,' has emerged in which the fundamental component of the stator MMF has fewer poles than that of the permanent-magnet armature, the thrust force being developed by the interaction between a higher order MMF harmonic and the permanent magnet field. Thus, the presence of lower and higher order space harmonics in the winding MMF distribution of a modular machine may gives rise to a significant eddy-current loss in the moving-magnet armature. An analytical model is developed to predict the eddy currents which are induced in the magnets, as well as in any electrically conducting supporting tube which may be employed, and to quantify the effectiveness of axially segmenting the magnets in reducing the eddy-current loss. The validity of the developed model, which is also applicable to conventional designs of tubular permanent-magnet machine, is verified by time-stepped transient finite-element analysis (FEA). Index Terms--Eddy currents, linear motors, losses, permanent-magnet machines.

The paper describes a methodology for optimizing the design and performance of a miniature permanent-magnet generator and its associated energy storage system. It combines an analytical field model, a lumped reluctance equivalent magnetic circuit, and an equivalent electrical circuit. Its utility is demonstrated by means of a case study on a 15-mW, 6000-r/min generator, and the analysis techniques are validated by measurements on a prototype system. Index Terms--Design optimization, energy storage system, miniature permanent-magnet generator.

Using the analytical formulas derived in Part I for predicting the magnetic field distribution, thrust force, and electromotive force of a three-phase tubular modular permanent-magnet machine equipped with quasi-Halbach magnetized magnets, this paper analyzes the armature reaction field, and addresses issues that are pertinent to the design optimization of the machine. It shows that optimal values of the ratio of the axial length of the radially magnetized magnets to the pole pitch exist for both maximum force capability and minimum force ripple. The utility and accuracy of the analytical predictions and design optimization technique are demonstrated on a 9-slot/10-pole machine. Index Terms--Design optimization, linear machines, permanent-magnet machines.

This paper describes the analysis, design, and experimental characterization of three-phase tubular modular permanent-magnet machines equipped with quasi-Halbach magnetized magnets. It identifies feasible slot/pole number combinations and discusses their relative merits. It establishes an analytical expression for the open-circuit magnetic field distribution, formulated in the cylindrical coordinate system. The expression has been verified by finite-element analysis. The analytical solution allows the prediction of the thrust force and electromotive force in closed forms, and provides an effective tool for design optimization, as will be described in Part II of the paper. Index Terms--Linear machines, magnetic field analysis, permanent-magnet machines.

We develop an analytical model for predicting the eddy-current loss in the rotor magnets of permanent-magnet brushless machines that have a fractional number of slots per pole, when either all the teeth or only alternate teeth are wound, and in which the unwound teeth may be narrower than the wound teeth. The model enables the magnetic field distribution in the air gap and magnet regions to be determined, by neglecting the eddy-current redistribution effect and assuming that the eddy currents are resistance limited. It can account for space-harmonic magnetomotive forces (MMFs) resulting from the winding distribution and time-harmonic MMFs due to nonsinusoidal phase currents, as well as for the effect of curvature and circumferential segmentation of the magnets. We have validated the model by finite-element analysis, and used it to investigate the eddy-current loss in the magnets of three surface-mounted magnet brushless motors that have similar slot and pole numbers, and employ identical rotors but different stators, when they are operated in brushless ac (BLAC) and dc (BLDC) modes. We show that the stator winding configuration, as well as the operational mode, significantly influence the resultant eddy-current loss. Index Terms--Brushless machines, eddy currents, fractional slots/per pole, permanent magnet.

A method based on the total deviation approach, which is used in global positioning system (GPS) operations is described. The increased confidence from the 'total' approach and shorter data processing delays would be important in adequately managing future GPS system events.

While methods of determining the iron loss in rotating permanent-magnet (PM) machines have been investigated extensively, the study of iron loss in linear machines is relatively poorly documented. This paper describes a simple analytical method to predict flux density waveforms in discrete regions of the laminated stator of a tubular PM machine, and employs an established iron loss model to determine the iron loss components, on both no load and on load. Analytical predictions are compared with the iron loss deduced from finite-element analyses for two tubular PM machine designs, and it is shown that if a machine has a relatively high electrical loading, the on-load iron loss can be significantly higher than the no-load value. Index Terms--Analytical model, iron loss, linear machines, permanent-magnet (PM) machines.

The paper describes a relatively new topology of 3-phase permanent magnet (PM) brushless machine, which offers a number of significant advantages over conventional PM brushless machines for automotive applications, such as electrical torque boosting at low engine speeds for vehicles equipped with downsized internal combustion engine (ICEs). The relative merits of feasible slot/pole number combinations for the proposed 3-phase modular PM brushless ac machine are discussed, and an analytical method for establishing the open-circuit and armature reaction magnetic field distributions when such a machine is equipped with a surface-mounted magnet rotor is presented. The results allow the prediction of the torque, the phase emf, and the self- and mutual winding inductances in closed forms, and provide a basis for comparative studies, design optimization and machine dynamic modeling. However, a more robust machine, in terms of improved containment of the magnets, results when the magnets are buried inside the rotor, which, since it introduces a reluctance torque, also serves to reduce the back-emf, the iron loss and the inverter voltage rating. The performance of a modular PM brushless machine equipped with an interior magnet rotor is demonstrated by measurements on a 22-pole/24-slot prototype torque boosting machine. Index Terms--Electric torque boosting, engine downsizing, hybrid electric vehicle, permanent magnet (PM) machine.

The application of direct torque control (DTC) to brushless ac drives has been investigated extensively. This paper describes its application to brushless dc drives, and highlights the essential differences in its implementation, as regards torque estimation and the representation of the inverter voltage space vectors. Simulated and experimental results are presented, and it is shown that, compared with conventional current control, DTC results in reduced torque ripple and a faster dynamic response. Index Terms--Brushless dc (BLDC) drives, direct torque control (DTC), permanent-magnet motor.

This paper presents a comparative study of three-phase permanent-magnet brushless machines in which the slot and pole numbers are similar, with reference to conventional brushless dc machines in which the ratio of the slot number to pole number is usually 3 : 2. Three different motor designs are considered. Two have equal tooth widths, with one having a coil wound on every tooth and the other only having a coil wound on alternate teeth, while the third machine also has coils wound on alternate teeth but these are wider than the unwound teeth while the width of their tooth tips is almost equal to the rotor pole pitch in order to maximize the flux linkage and torque. Analytical and finite-element methods are employed to predict the flux-linkage and back-electromotive-force waveforms, and the self- and mutual-inductances, and these are shown to be in good agreement with measured results. It is also shown that the third machine is eminently appropriate for brushless dc operation. Index Terms--Back electromotive force (EMF), brushless machines, flux linkage, fractional slot, permanent magnet.

The conventional current-regulated delta modulator (CRDM) results in a high current ripple and a high switching frequency at low rotational speeds, and in low-frequency current harmonics, including a fundamental current error, at high rotational speeds. An improved current controller based on CRDM is proposed which introduces a zero-vector zone and a current error correction technique. It reduces the current ripple and switching frequency at low speeds, without the need to detect the back-emf, as well as the low-frequency error at high speeds. The performance of the modulator is verified by both simulation and measurements on a permanent magnet brushless ac drive. Index Terms--Brushless ac drive, current control, modulation, pulse width modulation (PWM).

An improved model for simulating the transient behavior of salient-pole synchronous generators with internal and ground faults in the stator winding is established using the multiloop circuit method. The model caters for faults under different ground conditions for the neutral, and accounts for the distributed capacitances of the windings to ground. Predictions from the model are validated by experiments, and it is shown that the model accurately predicts the voltage and current waveforms under fault conditions. Hence, it can be used to analyze important features of faults and to design appropriate protection schemes. Index Terms--Ground fault, internal fault, multiloop circuit method, salient-pole generator.

The sensorless control of brushless machines by detecting the third harmonic back electromotive force is a relatively simple and potentially low-cost technique. However, its application has been reported only for brushless dc motors operating under normal commutation. In this paper, the utility of the method for the sensorless control of both brushless dc and ac motors, including operation in the flux-weakening mode, is demonstrated. Index Terms--Back electromotive force (EMF), brushless drives, permanent-magnet machines, sensorless control.

An exceptionally low purity microwave noise levels from a microwave oscillator that uses a conventional air-dielectric cavity resonator as a frequency discriminator is reported. This approach is to increase the discriminator's intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio by use of a high-power carrier signal to interrogate an optimally coupled cavity, while the high-level of the carrier is suppressed before the phase detector.

In this paper we deduce, from analytical field solutions, the influence of leading design parameters on the performance of a radially magnetized, iron-cored, tubular permanent-magnet machine and its drive system. We derive analytical formulas for predicting the open-circuit electromotive force, the thrust force, the iron loss, and the winding resistance and inductances, as well as the converter losses. The force density, the machine and drive system efficiencies, and the power factor and converter volt-ampere (VA) rating are established as functions of a set of machine dimensional ratios, with due account of magnetic saturation and subject to a specified thermal constraint. We validate the utility and accuracy of the analytically derived formulas by finite-element calculations. Finally, we show that the design optimization of such a linear drive system must account for the losses and VA rating of the converter as well as the design parameters of the tubular machine. Index Terms--Design optimization, electric drive, linear machine, permanent-magnet machine.

This paper describes the analysis and design optimization of an improved axially magnetized tubular permanent-magnet machine. Compared with a conventional axially magnetized tubular machine, it has a higher specific force capability and requires less permanent-magnet material. The magnetic field distribution is established analytically in the cylindrical coordinate system, and the results are validated by finite-element analyses. The analytical field solution allows the analytical prediction of the thrust force and back-electromotive force (emf) in closed forms, which, in turn, facilitates the characterization of a machine, and provides a basis for design optimization and system dynamic modeling. Index Terms--Linear motors, permanent-magnet motors, system analysis and design.

The paper describes the design optimization of an electromagnet for aligning anisotropic NdFeB powder during the compression molding of a two-pole ring magnet. The optimization method makes extensive use of both two- and three-dimensional magnetostatic finite-element analysis in order to demonstrate the influence of various design features on the performance of the electromagnet and the limitations of two-dimensional analysis. Measurements on a prototype powder-aligning system validate the optimization method. Index Terms--Finite-element methods, neodymium alloys, permanent magnets, powdered magnetic materials.