Abstract: An acoustic noise mitigation system for an electric machine includes one or more suspension members. The suspension members may include arcuate members that are positioned between a machine housing and a stator. During operation of the electric machine, the electromagnetic force frequency that is generated by the stator relative to a rotating rotor is able to be absorbed by the suspension members. As a result, acoustic noise generated by the electric machine is reduced.

Abstract: An axial flux machine (AFM) includes a rotor rotatably disposed between a pair of fixed stators. The rotor and the stators are formed of tape-wound laminated cores of ferromagnetic material. In addition, the rotor includes multiple layers of angled magnets that circumscribe the rotor. Such configuration enables the axial flux machine to achieve a high airgap flux density while achieving a high saliency ratio and lowered cogging torque as compared to current generation AFMs.

Abstract: Embodiments provide an integrated motor-compressor assembly including a rotating impeller to compress a fluid passing therethrough, and diffuser vanes radially spaced from the impeller, each of the diffuser vanes including a stator winding therearound, the stator windings being supplied with current to generate sufficient magnetic flux for rotating the impeller. Embodiments provide an integrated motor-compressor assembly including a volute casing housing a rotating impeller to compress a fluid passing therethrough, a stator fixedly positioned in the volute casing proximate to the impeller, the stator including stator poles axially spaced from the impeller, each of the stator poles including a stator winding, the stator windings being supplied with current to generate sufficient axial magnetic flux for rotating the impeller.

Abstract: A smart sensor network for power grid health monitoring includes a plurality of spaced sensors that are magnetically coupled to the power transmission line to be monitored. The sensors include a signal injection unit and a signal sensing unit. As such, one of the sensors acts to inject, via its signal injection unit, a high frequency signal through the magnetic coupling into the power transmission line, while sensors on either side of the signal injecting sensor act to block the injected signal, which is then detected by the signal sensing unit of the injecting sensor, and is used to measure the impedance of the power transmission line segment being analyzed. Based on the difference between a pre-measured impedance of the power transmission line being monitored and the actual impedance value of the power transmission line being measured by the sensor, the health of the power line can be obtained.

Abstract: System and method for monitoring the condition of electricity conductor support systems, i.e. towers, in a power network distribution system employing a tower structure integrity sensor assemblage. The system allows for identifying particular portions of a structural system for maintenance attention. The tower sensors allow identification of structural failures of electricity transmission towers.

Abstract: Embodiments provide an integrated motor-compressor assembly including a rotating impeller to compress a fluid passing therethrough, and diffuser vanes radially spaced from the impeller, each of the diffuser vanes including a stator winding therearound, the stator windings being supplied with current to generate sufficient magnetic flux for rotating the impeller. Embodiments provide an integrated motor-compressor assembly including a volute casing housing a rotating impeller to compress a fluid passing therethrough, a stator fixedly positioned in the volute casing proximate to the impeller, the stator including stator poles axially spaced from the impeller, each of the stator poles including a stator winding, the stator windings being supplied with current to generate sufficient axial magnetic flux for rotating the impeller.

Abstract: System and method for monitoring the condition of electricity conductor support systems, i.e. towers, in a power network distribution system employing a tower structure integrity sensor assemblage. The system allows for identifying particular portions of a structural system for maintenance attention. The tower sensors allow identification of structural failures of electricity transmission towers.

Abstract: A D-Q or rotating reference frame control system for a switched reluctance motor (SRM) provides a negativity removal module and a non-linear model module. As such, the control system utilizes control inputs fq and fd, which are converted into the ABC domain as electrical current functions f?ix with negative values. The negativity removal module is configured to share the torque portion of the negative values of the electrical current functions f?ix for each of the three phases of the SRM motor to remove the negative values. The non-linear module corrects the non-linearity of the SRM to smooth the torque that is output. The control system also utilizes a phase advancing module, which outputs fd for achieving a wide range of operating speeds.

Abstract: A smart sensor network for power grid health monitoring includes a plurality of spaced sensors that are magnetically coupled to the power transmission line to be monitored. The sensors include a signal injection unit and a signal sensing unit. As such, one of the sensors acts to inject, via its signal injection unit, a high frequency signal through the magnetic coupling into the power transmission line, while sensors on either side of the signal injecting sensor act to block the injected signal, which is then detected by the signal sensing unit of the injecting sensor, and is used to measure the impedance of the power transmission line segment being analyzed. Based on the difference between a pre-measured impedance of the power transmission line being monitored and the actual impedance value of the power transmission line being measured by the sensor, the health of the power line can be obtained.

Abstract: A motor control system is provided. The motor control system includes a motor, a position sensor, a current sensor, and a control module. The motor has a rotor and a stator. The motor generates an output torque based on a phase current applied to the motor. The output torque generated by the motor creates a torque ripple that is within a predefined range. The position sensor monitors the motor to determine a rotor position. The current sensor monitors the motor to determine the phase current. The control module is in communication with the motor, the position sensor, and the current sensor. The control module includes a lookup table that stores values of phase current commands. The control module determines a phase current command from the lookup table based on the rotor position and the phase current.

Abstract: A D-Q or rotating reference frame control system for a switched reluctance motor (SRM) provides a negativity removal module and a non-linear model module. As such, the control system utilizes control inputs fq and fd, which are converted into the ABC domain as electrical current functions f?ix with negative values. The negativity removal module is configured to share the torque portion of the negative values of the electrical current functions f?ix for each of the three phases of the SRM motor to remove the negative values. The non-linear module corrects the non-linearity of the SRM to smooth the torque that is output. The control system also utilizes a phase advancing module, which outputs fd for achieving a wide range of operating speeds.

Abstract: A motor control system is provided. The motor control system includes a motor, a position sensor, a current sensor, and a control module. The motor has a rotor and a stator. The motor generates an output torque based on a phase current applied to the motor. The output torque generated by the motor creates a torque ripple that is within a predefined range. The position sensor monitors the motor to determine a rotor position. The current sensor monitors the motor to determine the phase current. The control module is in communication with the motor, the position sensor, and the current sensor. The control module includes a lookup table that stores values of phase current commands. The control module determines a phase current command from the lookup table based on the rotor position and the phase current.

Abstract: The method is directed to controlling a switched reluctance generator operating in a high speed single pulse mode. The turn-off angle is selected according to an analytic fit optimal efficiency curve and the turn-on angle is used as the variable parameter to control power output of the switched reluctance generator. The method results in identifying the most efficient excitation angles and characterizes them for easy implementation under closed loop control. The switched reluctance generator operates under conditions of optimum efficiency under all circumstances.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the turn-on and turn-off angles of a switch reluctance motor. A control system is provided that comprises: a turn-on controller that includes a first component for controlling a turn-on angle during low speed operations and a second component for controlling the turn-on angle during high speed operations such that transitions between low speed and high speed occur naturally; and a turn-off controller having an algorithm for controlling a turn-off angle, wherein the algorithm calculates the turn-off angle as a function of rotor speed, reference peak phase current, and a set of curve fit parameters.

Abstract: A method for operating a switched reluctance electrical generator in a manner that is highly efficient involves initially performing a mapping technique to obtain data relating to all of the possible operating conditions of the generator system that generate the desired output power. This mapping technique can be performed empirically or by computer simulation. Then, the effective phase currents supplied to the windings on the stator are measured or calculated. Next, the optimum conduction angles can be selected as those turn-on angles and turn-off angles that occur using the smallest effective phase currents supplied to the windings on the stator. Lastly, the generator system is operated using the selected optimum turn-on and turn-off angles. If desired, a feedback loop can be provided for comparing the actual output power that is generated by the generator system with a desired reference output power level to insure that such actual output power is maintained at or near the desired output power.

Abstract: A control algorithm provides automatic control of the turn-on angle used to excite the switched-reluctance motor (SRM). The control algorithm determines the turn-on angle that supports the most efficient operation of the motor drive system, and consists of two pieces. The first piece of the control technique monitors the position of the first peak of the phase current (&thgr;p) and seeks to align this position with the angle where the inductance begins to increase (&thgr;m). The second piece of the controller monitors the peak phase current and advances the turn-on angle if the commanded reference current cannot be produced by the controller. The first piece of the controller tends to be active below base speed of the SRM, where phase currents can be built easily by the inverter and &thgr;p is relatively independent of &thgr;m. The second piece of the controller tends to be active above base speed, where the peak of the phase currents tends to naturally occur at &thgr;m, regardless of the current amplitude.

Abstract: A control algorithm provides automatic control of the turn-on angle used to excite the switched-reluctance motor (SRM). The control algorithm determines the turn-on angle that supports the most efficient operation of the motor drive system, and consists of two pieces. The first piece of the control technique monitors the position of the first peak of the phase current (&thgr;p) and seeks to align this position with the angle where the inductance begins to increase (&thgr;m). The second piece of the controller monitors the peak phase current and advances the turn-on angle if the commanded reference current cannot be produced by the controller. The first piece of the controller tends to be active below base speed of the SRM, where phase currents can be built easily by the inverter and &thgr;p is relatively independent of &thgr;m. The second piece of the controller tends to be active above base speed, where the peak of the phase currents tends to naturally occur at &thgr;m, regardless of the current amplitude.

Abstract: A method for operating a switched reluctance electrical generator in a manner that is highly efficient involves initially performing a mapping technique to obtain data relating to all of the possible operating conditions of the generator system that generate the desired output power. This mapping technique can be performed empirically or by computer simulation. Then, the effective phase currents supplied to the windings on the stator are measured or calculated. Next, the optimum conduction angles can be selected as those turn-on angles and turn-off angles that occur using the smallest effective phase currents supplied to the windings on the stator. Lastly, the generator system is operated using the selected optimum turn-on and turn-off angles. If desired, a feedback loop can be provided for comparing the actual output power that is generated by the generator system with a desired reference output power level to insure that such actual output power is maintained at or near the desired output power.