Wide-Speed Range Operation of PM Vernier Machines Using Wye and Wye-Delta Winding Configurations

Abstract

This paper proposes two permanent magnet vernier machines (PMVM) operation modes, for wide-speed and high efficiency operation. In mode-1, the machine operates as a conventional PMVM with a wye connected stator winding mode. In mode-2, the machine stator winding is switched to a wye-delta winding mode. Contrary to the existing dual-inverter PMVM topology with two additional bidirectional thyristor switches, the proposed topology utilizes a single inverter with six additional bidirectional thyristor switches to change mode. A theoretical discussion of the proposed idea is further verified via finite element analysis (FEA) simulations. The basic electromagnetic characteristics, such as the flux linkage, back electromotive force, torque, and phase voltages of the machine are investigated using wye and wye-delta stator winding configurations, and subsequently, compared with the existing topology that used a dual-inverter PMVM. The FEA results show that the proposed PMVM has low over-all losses, consequently resulting in improved efficiency compared to the existing topology. The speed increases by almost 9 times using the proposed single-inverter PMVM. Transient analysis using FEA is also conducted in this paper.