Although the concept of variable-speed drives, based on utilization of multiphase machines, dates back to the late 1960s, it was not until the mid- to late 1990s that multiphase drives became serious contenders for various applications. These include electric ship propulsion, locomotive traction, electric and hybrid electric vehicles, ldquomore-electricrdquo aircraft, and high-power industrial applications. As a consequence, there has been a substantial increase in the interest for such drive systems worldwide, resulting in a huge volume of work published during the last ten years. An attempt is made in this paper to provide a brief review of the current state of the art in the area. After addressing the reasons for potential use of multiphase rather than three-phase drives and the available approaches to multiphase machine designs, various control schemes are surveyed. This is followed by a discussion of the multiphase voltage source inverter control. Various possibilities for the use of additional degrees of freedom that exist in multiphase machines are further elaborated. Finally, multiphase machine applications in electric energy generation are addressed.

Multiphase Electric Machines for Variable-Speed Applications

The area of multiphase variable-speed motor drives in general and multiphase induction motor drives in particular has experienced a substantial growth since the beginning of this century. Research has been conducted worldwide and numerous interesting developments have been reported in the literature. An attempt is made to provide a detailed overview of the current state-of-the-art in this area. The elaborated aspects include advantages of multiphase induction machines, modelling of multiphase induction machines, basic vector control and direct torque control schemes and PWM control of multiphase voltage source inverters. The authors also provide a detailed survey of the control strategies for five-phase and asymmetrical six-phase induction motor drives, as well as an overview of the approaches to the design of fault tolerant strategies for post-fault drive operation, and a discussion of multiphase multi-motor drives with single inverter supply. Experimental results, collected from various multiphase induction motor drive laboratory rigs, are also included to facilitate the understanding of the drive operation.

/pdf/multiphase-induction-motor-drives-a-technology-status-review-1ir91893ja.pdf

Multiphase induction motor drives - : a technology status review

Fractional-slot concentrated-winding (FSCW) synchronous permanent magnet (PM) machines have been gaining interest over the last few years. This is mainly due to the several advantages that this type of windings provides. These include high-power density, high efficiency, short end turns, high slot fill factor particularly when coupled with segmented stator structures, low cogging torque, flux-weakening capability, and fault tolerance. This paper is going to provide a thorough analysis of FSCW synchronous PM machines in terms of opportunities and challenges. This paper will cover the theory and design of FSCW synchronous PM machines, achieving high-power density, flux-weakening capability, comparison of single- versus double-layer windings, fault-tolerance rotor losses, parasitic effects, comparison of interior versus surface PM machines, and various types of machines. This paper will also provide a summary of the commercial applications that involve FSCW synchronous PM machines.

Fractional-Slot Concentrated-Windings Synchronous Permanent Magnet Machines: Opportunities and Challenges

The main objective of this two-part state-of-the-art paper called “Recent Advances in the Design, Modeling, and Control of Multiphase Machines” is to present latest contributions in the multiphase machines' field. The first part of this paper focuses on the recent progress in the design, modeling, and control, whereas the drive is in healthy operation. This second part presents relevant contributions in two not analyzed fields. The first is in relation with the use of the additional degrees of freedom of multiphase machines and the exploitation of their fault-tolerant capabilities without adding extra hardware. The second one analyzes multiphase generation, particularly in grid-connected wind energy conversion systems and stand-alone applications. Recent progresses are shown and open challenges and future research directions are discussed.

Recent Advances in the Design, Modeling, and Control of Multiphase Machines—Part II

In this paper, a control scheme for multiphase induction motor drives is presented and assessed. This control scheme ensures the operation of a multiphase drive under an open-circuit phase fault that can occur in one or more phases at the same time. A fault-tolerant control strategy is developed. The mathematical analysis is based on the space vector representation of the multiphase system and is valid either in transient or steady-state operating conditions. The feasibility of the drive is verified by means of experimental tests carried out on a prototype of seven-phase induction motor.

Control of Multiphase Induction Motors With an Odd Number of Phases Under Open-Circuit Phase Faults

This paper deals with easy-to-implement control strategies when a seven-phase axial flux permanent magnet machine supplied by a seven-leg voltage source inverter is in fault operation mode. Using a vectorial multimachine description, a seven-phase machine presenting a heightened ability to be controlled with one or two open-circuited phases has been designed. The machine is first presented, and experimental results are provided when one or two phases are open circuited. Based on a vectorial approach, new current references are calculated to avoid high-torque ripples.

https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00817669/document

Vectorial Approach-Based Control of a Seven-Phase Axial Flux Machine Designed for Fault Operation

In this paper, a 7-phase axial-flux double-rotor permanent magnet synchronous machine is studied using analytical and finite element methods. This type of machine shows a higher sensitivity to the inductance harmonics and electromotive force (emf) compared with the 3-phase machines. So, the conventional analytical modeling method, in which only the first harmonic is taken into account, leads to significant errors in the determination of the control parameters, e.g., the frequency of pulse width modulation voltage source inverter. A multimachine model explains the reasons for this sensitivity and a more sophisticated analytical method is used. Results are compared with those obtained by the 3-D FEM

/pdf/design-and-study-of-a-multiphase-axial-flux-machine-2avm5sw74g.pdf

Design and study of a multiphase axial-flux machine

This paper deals with fault tolerant multiphase electrical drives. The quality of the torque of a vector-controlled Permanent Magnet (PM) Synchronous Machine supplied by a multi-leg Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) is examined in normal operation and when one or two phases are open-circuited. It is then deduced that a seven-phase machine is a good compromise allowing high torque-to-volume density and easy control with smooth torque in fault operation. Experimental results confirm the predicted characteristics.

/pdf/fault-tolerant-multiphase-electrical-drives-the-impact-of-5byih5heyb.pdf

Fault tolerant multiphase electrical drives: the impact of design

This paper deals with the modeling and the control of a new high power 12 V integrated starter alternator (ISA). This system is used to bring micro-hybrid functions to standard internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The drive is composed of a seven-phase synchronous claw-pole machine with separate excitation, supplied with a seven-leg Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) designed for low voltage and high current. The system is modeled in a generalized Concordia frame and a graphical description is used to highlight energetic properties of such a complex system. A control scheme is then deduced from this graphical description. Two controls are achieved in generator mode and compared: one is using the VSI in a square-wave mode, the other in a pulse width modulation (PWM) mode. Experimental results are provided.

/pdf/modeling-and-control-of-a-seven-phase-claw-pole-integrated-147t3b583q.pdf

Modeling and control of a seven-phase claw-pole integrated starter alternator for micro-hybrid automotive applications

This paper deals with control in fault operation of a seven-phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine supplied by a seven-leg Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) Using a Multi-Machine description, a seven-phase machine which presents a special ability to be controlled with only five phases supplied has been designed The machine is presented and experimental results are provided when two phases are opened In a first case of no change of classical control, high torque ripples are observed In a second case, a specific control deduced from the Multi-Machine modelling is suggested for reducing torque ripples

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Papers

Vectorial Approach-Based Control of a Seven-Phase Axial Flux Machine Designed for Fault Operation

Design and study of a multiphase axial-flux machine

Fault tolerant multiphase electrical drives: the impact of design

Modeling and control of a seven-phase claw-pole integrated starter alternator for micro-hybrid automotive applications

Control of a Seven-phase Axial Flux Machine Designed for Fault Operation