Modelling and Stability Analysis for a Magnetically Levitated Slice Motor (MLSM) with Gyroscopic Effect and Non-Collocated Structure Based on the Extended Inverse Nyquist Stability Criterion

Stability of the rotor motion is the precondition for the reliable operation of magnetically levitated slice motors (MLSMs). However, with gyroscopic effect and non-collocated structure existing simultaneously, its stability analysis faces a tremendous challenge, because the torsional motions couple with the radial translational ones, making MLSM a multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) system with high order. Therefore, in this paper, we first establish a novel MIMO rotor dynamics closed-loop model and further convert it into an equivalent single-input and single-out (SISO) feedback control system by constructing complex variables, meanwhile reducing the system order by half. Beneficial from the equivalence between the MIMO and SISO systems, the sufficient and necessary conditions of the absolute stability of MLSM are derived by the extended inverse Nyquist stability criterion in the complex domain. Additionally, the effectiveness of the proposed modelling and stability analysis method is evaluated by simulation and experimental results. Thus, apart from PID parameters, this paper demonstrates that the stability of MLSM is also affected by the coupling of gyroscopic effect and non-collocated structure, which should serve as an essential guideline for system regulation of MLSM.

Topology Choice and Optimization of a Bearingless Flux-Switching Motor with a Combined Winding Set

The purpose of this paper is to choose a new topology for bearingless flux-switching slice motors, regarding the number of stator and rotor poles, with a combined winding set. Additionally, the selected motor topology is optimized with finite element method (FEM) simulations to improve the performance. Bearingless slice drives feature a magnetically-suspended rotor disk passively stabilized by reluctance forces due to a permanent magnet (PM) bias flux in the air gap and actively controlled by the generation of radial bearing forces and motor torque. Usage of the combined winding set, where each phase generates both motor torque and suspension forces, opens the opportunity for a new topology. The topology choice and optimization are based on FEM simulations of several motor optimization criteria, as the passive axial, tilting and radial stiffness values and the active torque and bearing forces, which are simulated regarding the motor height and specific stator and rotor parameters. Saturation, cogging torque and cogging forces are also analyzed. The 3D FEM program ANSYS Maxwell 2015 was used. The results led to an optimized bearingless flux-switching motor topology with six new stator segments and seven rotor poles. By optimizing the geometry, a considerable improvement of performance was reached. This geometry optimization is a base for a future prototype model.