Selection criteria of multiphase induction machines for speed-sensorless drives based on rotor slot harmonics

Abstract

Multiphase (MP) induction machines (IMs) provide important advantages over three-phase (3P) ones. Sensorless speed estimation makes it possible to obtain high-performance control and monitoring without the inconveniences of speed sensors. In 3P IMs, the speed estimation methods based on rotor slot harmonics (RSHs), normally on the principal RSHs (PSHs), are well established. A difficulty of these techniques, in 3P IMs, is that RSHs are usually extremely small. Additionally, as previously assessed concerning 3P IMs, the number of rotor bars should be carefully selected; otherwise, the PSHs might not even arise in the stator current. However, no publications have addressed the magnitude of PSHs in MP IMs, in comparison to 3P ones, or selection criteria of MP IMs for speed-sensorless drives. In this paper, it is shown that in MP IMs larger (easier to detect) PSHs can be obtained, due to the low impedances in their additional stator planes, by appropriately selecting the number of bars and poles so that the PSHs are mapped into such planes. This finding is supported by newly developed stator equivalent circuits, which include the effects of rotor bars. Accordingly, criteria are presented to select MP IMs for speed-sensorless drives. Experimental and finite-element results confirm the theory.