Three-phase Permanent Magnet Brushless DC Research Articles

Current Spikes Minimization Method for Three-Phase Permanent Magnet Brushless DC Motor with Real-Time Implementation

Due to their high efficiency and low cost of maintenance, brushless DC motors (BLDCMs) with trapezoidal electromotive forces (back-EMFs), have become widely used in various applications such as aerospace, electric vehicles, industrial uses, and robotics. However, they suffer from large current ripples and current spikes. In this paper, a new method for minimizing current spikes appearing during BLDCM start-up or sudden set point changes is proposed. The method is based on controlling the MOSFET gates of the motor driver using R-C filters. These filters are placed between the PWM control signal generator and the MOSFET gates to smooth these control signals. The analysis of the proposed method showed that the R-C filter usage affects the BLDCM steady-state performances. To overcome this limitation, the R-C filter circuit was activated only during current spikes detection. The effectiveness of the proposed method was analytically analyzed and then validated through simulation and experimental tests. The obtained results allowed a reduction of 13% in current spikes amplitude.

Nonlinear Dynamic Model of PMBLDC Motor Considering Core Losses

The phase variable model is used commonly when simulating a motor drive system with a three-phase permanent magnet brushless dc (PMBLDC) motor. The phase variable model neglects core losses and this affects its accuracy when modeling fractional-slot machines. The inaccuracy of phase variable model of fractional-slot machines can be attributed to considerable armature flux harmonics, which causes an increased core loss. This study proposes a nonlinear phase variable model of PMBLDC motor that considers the core losses induced in the stator and the rotor. The core-loss model is developed based on the detailed analysis of the flux path and the variation of flux in different components of the machine. A prototype of fractional slot axial flux PMBLDC in-wheel motor is used to assess the proposed nonlinear dynamic model.

Torque Ripple Analysis of a PM Brushless DC Motor Using Finite Element Method

Three-phase permanent magnet brushless DC motors are widely used. As a function of the rotor position, the torque produced by these machines has a pulsating component in addition to the DC component. This pulsating torque has a fundamental frequency corresponding to six pulses per electrical revolution of the motor. The shape of the torque waveform and, thus, the frequency content of the waveform can be influenced by several factors in the motor design and construction. This paper addresses the various factors that influence the torque waveshape. It is shown that in addition to the basic induced electromotive force (EMF) waveshape, the magnetic saturation in the stator core, and the accuracy in the skewing are also key factors in determining the torque waveshape. Computer simulation using finite element technique has been conducted to study the torque waveform. Simulation results successfully duplicated the torque waveforms measured in experiments under different excitation currents.