Search Results (50)

Squirrel-cage induction generators often perform better without a mechanical speed sensor. Eliminating an encoder or resolver removes one of the most fragile and failure-prone components, while modern control algorithms can estimate speed with sufficient accuracy. Shaft-mounted sensors are vulnerable to heat, vibration, dust, moisture, and electrical noise; they require precise mounting and additional cabling and typically fail long before the machine itself. In many industrial and marine applications, unplanned shutdowns are more often caused by damaged sensors or cables than by the generator. Unlike sensorless speed-detection methods developed for motoring operation, the proposed approach targets the generator mode, where both phase currents and the DC-link voltage are measured. It uses two indicators: the magnitude and sign of the active current, and the instantaneous rise in DC-link voltage when the converter output frequency matches the machine’s shaft speed. Because active current remains negative over a wide frequency range during start-up, its sign change alone cannot uniquely identify the synchronization point. In generator operation, however, the DC-link capacitor voltage provides an additional criterion: the speed at which power reverses sign, indicated by a change in the sign of the DC-voltage derivative. As the inverter frequency approaches the machine rotational frequency from below, the DC voltage increases, reaches a maximum at maximum slip, and then decreases once the inverter frequency exceeds the machine speed. The article demonstrates how these signals can be used in practice to identify the rotational speed of a squirrel-cage generator. Full article

To explore possible design solutions for induction motors, we designed and tested a three-phase small-power induction motor with a can-type rotor and a stationary internal ferromagnetic core, a design not previously described in the technical literature. This three-phase motor combines certain features of a reliable solid-rotor motor, a two-rotor layer motor, and a motor in which the rotating thin aluminium layer is separated from the stationary inner ferromagnetic core. The motor prototype was based on a mass-produced, small-power, three-phase squirrel-cage motor. Its operating properties and characteristics were tested, highlighting its potential application as a special-purpose drive or a very interesting case for teaching purposes in laboratories of electrical machines. Measurements confirmed theoretical predictions and enabled the formation of a motor equivalent circuit with shunt and series branch parameters, among which magnetization reactance and rotor resistance varied with rotational speed. The main advantages of the motor are its simple rotor construction, low rotational speed, low-rotor inertia and good dynamics, as well as reliable operation across the entire range of useful torque from no-load to short-circuit conditions, without the risk of overheating. Full article

The aim of the article is to determine the control range of a multiphase squirrel cage induction generator with more than three stator phases, operating in a wide range of driving speeds. The generator produces an output DC voltage using a multiphase converter operating as a PWM rectifier. The entire speed range is divided into intervals in which the sequence of stator phase voltages and, in effect, the number of pole pairs, is changed. In each interval, the output voltage is regulated by the frequency and amplitude of the stator voltages causing the highest possible power efficiency of the generator. The system can be scalar controlled or regulated using field orientation. Generator characteristics are calculated based on the set of steady-state equations derived from differential equations describing the multiphase induction machine. The calculation results are compared with simulations and with the steady-state measurement of the vector-controlled nine-phase generator. Recognizing the reliability of the obtained results, calculations are performed for a twelve-phase generator, obtaining satisfactory efficiency from 70% to 85% in the generator speed range from 0.2 to 1.0 of the assumed reference speed of 314 rad/s. The generator producing DC voltage can charge an electrical energy storage system or can be used directly to provide electrical power. This solution is not patented. Full article

This study presents a detailed investigation of the torque-speed characteristics of a WEG single-phase squirrel-cage induction motor (SPSCIM) of (1/2 hp), 110/220 V at 60 Hz. The primary objective was to derive the motor’s equivalent circuit and validate its performance curves through finite element analysis (FEA), simulation using MATLAB^®/Simulink^®, and experimental testing. Finite element simulations were conducted using the software FEMM (Finite Element Method Magnetics) to model the magnetic flux distribution within the motor’s stator and rotor. These simulations, based on the motor’s dimensions and nameplate data, provided essential insights into the electromagnetic behavior, including flux density and saturation effects, which are crucial for accurate torque-speed curve predictions. For experimental validation, tests were performed under open-circuit and locked-rotor conditions through a universal machine as a load emulator. The torque-speed characteristics were determined using the Suhr method and the classical approach, with the resulting curves compared to experimental measurements. Voltage and current were measured using AC PZEM-004T and DC PZEM-017 meters, while rotor speed was monitored with a Hall effect sensor (A3144). The results revealed strong agreement between the FEM simulations, Surh method, and experimental data, demonstrating the reliability and accuracy of the combined simulation and analytical methods for modeling the motor’s performance. The estimations using classical and Suhr methods, Simulink simulations, and FEMM yielded low error percentages, mostly below 2%. However, in the FEMM simulation, rotor resistance showed a higher error of around 20% due to unavailable data on the exact number of windings turns, a modifiable parameter that can be corrected through further adjustments in the simulation. The torque-speed curves obtained at different voltage levels showed an excellent correlation, confirming the effectiveness of the proposed approach in characterizing the motor’s operational behavior. Full article

The electrification of ships and the use of electric propulsion systems are projects which have attracted increased research and industrial interest in recent years. Efforts are particularly focused on reducing pollutants for better environmental conditions and increasing efficiency. The main source of propulsion for such a ship’s shafts is related to the operation of electrical machines. In this case, several advantages are offered, related to both reduced fuel consumption and system functionality. Nowadays, two types of electric motors are used in propulsion applications: traditional induction motors (IMs) and permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs). The evolution of magnetic materials and increased interest in high efficiency and power density have established PMSMs as the dominant technology in various industrial and maritime applications. This paper presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of PMSMs and both Squirrel-Cage and Wound-Rotor IMs for ship propulsion applications, focusing on design optimization. The study shows that PMSMs can be up to 3.11% more efficient than IMs. Additionally, the paper discusses critical operational and economic aspects of adopting PMSMs in large-scale ship propulsion systems, such as various load conditions, torque ripple, thermal behavior, material constraints, control complexity, and lifetime costs, contributing to decision making in the marine industry. Full article

Several studies have focused on modeling and analyzing the impact of rotor faults in conventional low-pole-count machines, while related research on low-speed high-torque (LSHT) machines with a high pole count remains limited. In these machines, the combination of low speed, high inertia, and high torque levels presents a critical application for advanced diagnosis techniques. The present paper aims to describe and quantify the impact of rotor faults on the performance of LSHT machine types during the design stage. Specifically, 10-pole and 16-pole synchronous reluctance machines (SynRMs), permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs), and squirrel-cage induction machines (SCIMs) are assessed by means of detailed 2D simulations. The effects of eccentricity, broken rotor bars, and partial demagnetization are studied, with a focus on performance variations. The results show that LSHT PMSMs are not significantly affected by the partial demagnetization of a few magnets, and the same holds true for common faults in SynRMs and SCIMs. Nonetheless, a significant increase in torque ripple was observed for all evaluated faults, with different origins and diverse effects on the torque waveform, which could be hard or invasive to analyze. Furthermore, it was concluded that specialized diagnosis techniques are effectively required for detecting the usual faults in LSHT machines, as their effect on major performance indicators is mostly minimal. Full article

This paper presents an experimental investigation into the detection and classification of broken rotor bar (BRB) faults in a 1.1 kW squirrel cage induction motor (IM) across various load conditions and fault severities: 1.5 BRBs, 2 BRBs, 2.5 BRBs, and 3 BRBs. Motor current signature analysis (MCSA), fast Fourier transform (FFT), and the extended Park’s vector approach (EPVA) were used to explore the frequency spectra and identify characteristic fault frequencies (CFFs) associated with BRB faults. Following these exploration, the extended Park’s vector (EPV) current was used to calculate 15 statistical time-domain features, which underwent exploratory data analysis using principal component analysis (PCA), curvilinear component analysis (CCA), and independent component analysis (ICA), deducing the intrinsic dimensionality to 3. Thereafter, classification was carried out using both neural and non-neural approaches to assess healthy signature as well as BRB fault severities. The PCA-SDNN model achieved the highest accuracy, showcasing its suitability for accurate, real-time fault detection in industrial IMs. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating MCSA, EPVA, dimensionality reduction, and machine learning for robust IM fault diagnosis. Full article

The squirrel cage induction generator or SCIG (Squirrel Cage Induction Generator) belongs to the family of induction machines, which are currently used as the most common electrical machines. The use of power electronic converter systems along with advanced control vector algorithms allows for the implementation of the effective operation of squirrel cage generators in various conditions. Up to now, there are a few practical realizations of squirrel cage generators, which are installed on board the vessels; mostly, these generators act as shaft generators, and it originates from the rules that require self-excitement of main electrical generators, acting as an immediate ready-to-use voltage source. In this article, we present a solution that utilizes an SCIG that operates with varying rotational speed as a shaft generator but can also act as an emergency propeller drive in case of main combustion engine failure. The main achievement of the presented work was the creation of a control table prepared for real-time software of the machine-side inverter. The data for the table were collected during the experimental research, and such a setup allowed us to use a DTC-controlled SCIG as a generator that rotated with variable speed and under changing load. Full article

The ongoing industrial revolution emphasizes the importance of precise machinery monitoring. Among these machines, induction motors (IMs) stand out due to their large numbers, which imply a significant part of industrial energy consumption. To achieve accurate in-service IM monitoring, robust modelling is required, with a particular emphasis on in situ constraints. In this study, we create a precise digital model for squirrel cage induction motors (SCIMs) that can be used in Industry 4.0 digital twin applications. To achieve this, we survey the existing literature, describe the main modelling techniques, identify the best models in terms of ease of implementation, and ensure the accuracy of our digital representation. We develop four methods, namely finite element analysis (FEA), thermal modelling, circuit-based models, and quantum-based fuzzy logic control, as a crucial first step in implementing digital twin (DT) technology for IMs. The quantum fuzzy logic is based on the transition from classical equations to the quantum equation determining the speed of the motor in the quantum world by passing through the Schrödinger equation. We propose the DT level of integration architecture for IMs based on the industry 4.0 reference architecture model. Finally, the main tools used to successfully implement DT for IMs are revealed. Full article

This article focuses on the analysis and non-invasive online diagnostics of the operating condition of bearings integrated into three-phase squirrel cage induction motors, an electric machine that, due to its construction and operational characteristics, has a significant presence in the industry. The proposed signal-processing analysis tool is based on the non-invasive monitoring of stator electrical currents. To improve robustness in the diagnosis of bearing faults beyond the state-of-the-art, a hybrid approach was employed. The Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT) and Park’s Vector Approach (PVA) were combined and applied to the stator currents. This hybridization allowed the benefits of both methods to be combined: (i) proper evaluation of time-varying phenomena and (ii) the ability to distinguish the type of fault affecting the bearing. To demonstrate the feasibility of the approach, comparisons were made between the proposed hybrid technique and both the STFT and the Extended Park’s Vector Approach (EPVA), which have been previously considered in the diagnosis of these and other induction motor faults. The validation of the proposed solution was conducted through computational simulations and laboratory tests, ultimately aiming to generate a database of results to inform future research in this area. To emulate bearing failures in an experimental context, artificial damage to bearing components was introduced. Full article

Diagnosing bearing defects (BFs) in squirrel cage induction machines (SCIMs) is essential to ensure their proper functioning and avoid costly breakdowns. This paper presents an innovative approach that combines intelligent direct torque control (DTC) with the use of Hilbert transform (HT) to detect and classify these BFs. The intelligent DTC allows precise control of the electromagnetic torque of the asynchronous machine, thus providing a quick response to BFs. Using HT, stator current is analyzed to extract important features related to BFs. The HT provides the analytical signal of the current, thus facilitating the detection of anomalies associated with BFs. The approach presented incorporates an intelligent DTC that adapts to stator current variations and characteristics extracted via the HT. This intelligent control uses advanced algorithms such as neural networks (ANN-DTCs) and fuzzy logic (FL-DTCs). In this paper, a comparison between these two algorithms was performed in the MATLAB/Simulink environment for a three-phase asynchronous machine to evaluate their effectiveness under the proposed approach. The results obtained demonstrated a high ability to detect and classify BFs, confirming the effectiveness of each algorithm. In addition, this comparison highlighted the specific advantages and disadvantages of each approach. This information is valuable in choosing the most suitable algorithm according to the constraints and specific needs of the application. Full article

This paper presents a novel method for load torque estimation in three-phase induction motors using air gap flux measurement and the conversion of this type of time-domain signal into grayscale images for further processing as inputs for an inception-type convolutional neural network. The magnetic flux was measured employing a Hall effect sensor installed inside the machine, near the stator slots, and above the stator windings. In this case, the sensor was able to measure a resultant magnetic flux density, having both rotor and stator magnetic flux contributions. The present methodology does not require motor parameters for torque prediction. The proposed approach successfully estimated load torque using three optimizers across almost the entire motor load operational range, spanning from 1.5% to 93.9% of the rated load. Four model configurations achieved a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) less than or equal to 3.7%. Specifically, two models for a 40 × 50 pixel image achieved MAPE of 3.7% and 3%, one model for a 40 × 25 pixel image achieved a MAPE of 3.5%, and one model for a 50 × 80 pixel image achieved a MAPE of 3.3%. This research has been experimentally validated with a 7.5 kW squirrel cage induction machine. Full article

This paper presents a voltage control system for multiphase squirrel-cage induction generators operating at a high variability of speed and variable load. Field-oriented vector control was used with a change in the sequence of the stator phase currents what changes the number of poles of the magnetic field produced by nine-phase stator winding. At low speeds, the current sequence is changed so that the number of poles increases allowing for the desired voltage to be obtained with greater efficiency. The task of the automatic control system was to control the DC voltage to a desired value at the output of the multiphase PWM converter. This is an alternative control method to the scalar control of voltage and frequency presented in a previous work. The control method and parameters of the automatic control system result from the mathematical model of the multiphase induction machine. The results of the laboratory tests were compared with the effects of the operation of the same nine-phase scalar controlled generator. Full article

The objective of the investigation was to increase the effectiveness of damage detection in the stator of the squirrel-cage induction machine. The analysis aimed to enhance the operational trustworthiness of the squirrel-cage induction machine by employing nonintrusive diagnostic methods based on a current signal and modern artificial intelligence methods. The authors of the study introduced a diagnostic technique for identifying multiphase interturn short circuits of stator winding. These short circuits are one of the most common faults in induction machines. The proposed method focusses on deriving a diagnostic signal from the phase-current waveforms of the machine. The noninvasive nature of the diagnostic technique presented is attributed to the application of the field model of electromagnetic phenomena to determine the diagnostic signal. For this purpose, a field model of a squirrel-cage machine was developed. The waveforms of phase currents obtained from the field model were used as input into an elaborated machine failure neural classifier. A deep neural network was used to develop a neural classifier. The effectiveness of the developed classifier has been experimentally verified, and the obtained results have been presented, concluded, and discussed. The scientific novelty presented in the article is the presentation of research results on the use of a neural classifier to detect damage in all phases of the stator winding at an early stage of its appearance. The features of this type of damage are very difficult to observe in signal waveforms such as a phase current or torque. Full article

In this paper, the performance of machine learning methods for squirrel cage induction motor broken rotor bar (BRB) fault detection is evaluated. Decision tree classification (DTC), artificial neural network (ANN), and deep learning (DL) methods are developed, applied, and studied to compare their performance in detecting broken rotor bar faults in squirrel cage induction motors. The training data were collected through experimental measurements. The BRB fault features were extracted from measured line-current signatures through a transformation from the time domain to the frequency domain using discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) of the frequency spectrum of the current signal. Eighty percent of the data were used for training the models, and twenty percent were used for testing. A confusion matrix was used to validate the models’ performance using accuracy, precision, recall, and f1-scores. The results evidence that the DTC is less load-dependent, and it has better accuracy and precision for both unloaded and loaded squirrel cage induction motors when compared with the DL and ANN methods. The DTC method achieved higher accuracy in the detection of the magnitudes of the twice-frequency sideband components induced in stator currents by BRB faults when compared with the DL and ANN methods. Although the detection accuracy and precision are higher for the loaded motor than the unloaded motor, the DTC method managed to also exhibit a high accuracy for the unloaded current when compared with the DL and ANN methods. The DTC is, therefore, a suitable candidate to detect broken rotor bar faults on trained data for lightly or thoroughly loaded squirrel cage induction motors using the characteristics of the measured line-current signature. Full article