The mode of operation of induction motors (IMs) affects their performance. In most cases, motors are optimally designed for steady state operation. When operating in other modes, additional attention is required to the problems of energy efficiency. Induction motors are the most common type of electromechanical energy converters, and a significant part of them operate under conditions of periodic changes in the load torque. The work is devoted to solving the problem of increasing the energy efficiency of asynchronous motors of electromechanical systems with a periodic load, including pumping and compressor equipment. The traditional solution to this problem for compressor equipment is the optimal design of an IM under static conditions, as well as the use of flywheels, the use of an IM with an increased slip value and controlled IM with a squirrel-cage rotor and with frequency converters. In this work, the modes of operation of asynchronous motors with periodic loading are investigated. For this, complex mathematical models are developed in the simulation system. Such models are effective in modeling taking into account periodic load changes: repetitive transient processes, their possible asymmetry and non-sinusoidality, increased influence of nonlinearity of electromagnetic parameters. In complex mathematical modeling, the mutual influence of the constituent parts of the electromechanical system is taken into account. Simulation allowed quantifying the deterioration in energy efficiency under intermittent loading, in comparison with static modes. Criteria for evaluating quasi-static modes have been developed and areas of critical decrease in efficiency have been determined. The paper proposes and demonstrates a methodology for solving this problem. For this purpose, tools have been created for the optimal design of asynchronous motors as part of electromechanical systems with periodic loading. These tools include: complex mathematical models of electromechanical systems with asynchronous motors with periodic load, mathematical tools for determining the parameters of quasi-steady-state modes, the methodology of optimal design based on the criterion of the maximum efficiency of processes under quasi-steady-state modes of operation. The possibilities, advantages and prospects of using the developed mathemati-cal apparatus for solving a number of problems to improve the efficiency of electric drives of compressor and pumping equipment are demonstrated. It is shown that by taking into account quasi-static processes, the use of complex mathematical models for the optimal design of asynchronous motors with a periodic load provides an in-crease in efficiency up to 8 ... 10%, relative to the indicators of motors that are de-signed without taking into account the quasi-static modes. The areas of intense quasi-steady-state modes are determined using the devel-oped criterion. In these areas, there is a critical decrease in efficiency compared to continuous load operation. A decrease in efficiency is associated with a decrease in the amount of kinetic energy of the rotating parts compared to the amount of electromagnetic energy. In connection with the development of a frequency-controlled asynchronous drive of mechanisms with a periodic load, the relevance of design taking into account the peculiarities of quasi-static has increased significantly. For example, a variable frequency drive of a refrigerator compressor or a heat pump can increase energy efficiency up to 40%, but at low speeds, due to a decrease in kinetic energy, the efficiency can decrease to 10 ... 15%, unless a special design methodology is applied. This problem can be solved by using the complex mathematical modeling tools developed in the article.
Singular surface points of steady-state traveling solutions of mathematical models of a falling fluid film
