Collaborative Research: High-Efficiency Gearless Power Conversion Systems with Silent Permanent-Magnet Machines

本研究的目的是设计、制造和研究采用电力电子变换器和具有大量磁极的无声永磁交流电机的新型高效无齿轮机电功率转换系统。两个这样的系统，即高度自动化的轮椅和一个小型风力涡轮机系统将被重点关注。四种创新的机器设计将被研究。将努力减少发射的声和电磁噪声。智力价值：该项目的智力价值将包括开发新的结构，控制策略，以及所研究机器和电源转换系统的电磁模型。它将允许在机械，电气，磁性和电子元件的复杂组件的电磁场和动态现象的深刻分析。直接的结果将是一种新型的轮椅无齿轮驱动和一种新型的住宅可再生能源无齿轮风力涡轮机系统。该系统将具有高效率、低速和高扭矩、最小转矩波动、低成本和维护要求、高可靠性、安静运行和用户友好性。更广泛的影响：增强新型电机的建模、设计和控制知识，丰富新型车辆驱动和可再生能源系统的技术基础，是该项目的更广泛影响。本项目将产生至少两篇博士论文。将努力从代表性不足的群体中征聘研究助理。研究结果将通过出版物和报告传播，所建立的实验装置将用于大学和高中学生的练习和示范。

The objective of this research is to design, build, and investigate novel high-efficiency gearless electromechanical power conversion systems employing power electronic converters and silent permanent-magnet, alternating-current, electric machines with a high number of magnetic poles. Two such systems, that is, a highly automated wheelchair and a small wind turbine system will be focused on. Four innovative machine designs will be studied. Abatement of the emitted acoustic and electromagnetic noise will be endeavored. Intellectual Merit:The intellectual merit of the project will consist in development of new structures, control strategies, and electromagnetic models of the investigated machines and power conversion systems. It will allow an insightful analysis of the electromagnetic fields and dynamic phenomena in complex assemblies of mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and electronic components. The direct outcome will be a novel gearless drive for wheelchairs and a novel gearless wind-turbine system for residential renewable-energy sources. The systems will have high efficiency, low speed and high torque, minimal torque ripple, low cost and maintenance requirements, high reliability, quiet operation, and user-friendliness. Broader Impacts:Enhancement of the knowledge of modeling, design, and control of novel types of electric machines, and enrichment of the technological base for new vehicular drives and renewable-energy systems, are the broader impacts of the project. The project will generate at least two PhD dissertations. Efforts will be made to recruit research assistants from underrepresented groups. Research results will be disseminated through publications and presentations, and the experimental setups developed will be utilized in exercises and demonstrations for university and high-school students.