The defining feature of PMACMs – the permanent magnets within their rotor – are acted upon by the rotating magnetic field (RMF) of the stator windings, and are repelled into rotational motion. This is a deviation from other rotors, where the magnetic force must be induced or generated in the rotor housing, requiring more current. This means that PMACMs are generally more efficient than induction motors, as the rotor’s magnetic field is permanent and does not need a source of power to be used for its generation. This also means that they require a variable frequency drive (VFD, or PM drive) to operate, which is a control system that smooths out the torque produced by these motors. By switching the current on and off to the stator windings at certain stages of rotor rotation, the PM drive simultaneously controls torque and current and uses this data to calculate rotor position, and therefore the speed of the shaft output. They are synchronous machines, as their rotational speed matches the speed of the RMF. These machines are relatively new and are still being optimized, so the specific operation of any one PMACM is, for now, essentially unique to each design.

EMF and Torque Equation

In a synchronous machine, the average EMF induced per phase is called dynamic induces EMF in a synchronous motor, the flux cut by each conductor per revolution is Pϕ Weber

Then the time taken to complete one revolution is 60/N sec

The average EMF induced per conductor can be calculated by using

( PϕN / 60 ) x Zph = ( PϕN / 60 ) x 2Tph

Where Tph = Zph / 2

Therefore, the average EMF per phase is,

= 4 x ϕ x Tph x PN/120 = 4ϕfTph

Where Tph = no. Of turns connected in series per phase

ϕ = flux/pole in Weber

P= no. Of poles

F= frequency in Hz

Zph= no. Of conductors connected in series per phase. = Zph/3

The EMF equation depends on the coils and the conductors on the stator. For this motor, the distribution factor Kd and pitch factor Kp are also considered.

Hence, E = 4 x ϕ x f x Tph xKd x Kp

The torque equation of a permanent magnet synchronous motor is given as,

T = (3 x Eph x Iph x sinβ) / ωm

Why choose permanent magnet ac motors?

Permanent magnet AC (PMAC) motors offer several advantages over other types of motors, including:

High Efficiency: PMAC motors are highly efficient due to the absence of rotor copper losses and reduced winding losses. They can achieve efficiencies of up to 97%, resulting in significant energy savings.

High Power Density: PMAC motors have a higher power density compared to other motor types, which means they can produce more power per unit of size and weight. This makes them ideal for applications where space is limited.

High Torque Density: PMAC motors have a high torque density, which means they can produce more torque per unit of size and weight. This makes them ideal for applications where high torque is required.

Reduced Maintenance: Since PMAC motors have no brushes, they require less maintenance and have a longer lifespan than other motor types.

Improved Control: PMAC motors have better speed and torque control compared to other motor types, making them ideal for applications where precise control is required.

Environmentally Friendly: PMAC motors are more environmentally friendly than other motor types since they use rare earth metals, which are easier to recycle and produce less waste compared to other motor types.

Overall, the advantages of PMAC motors make them an excellent choice for a wide range of applications, including electric vehicles, industrial machinery, and renewable energy systems.

Permanent magnet synchronous motors with internal magnets: Maximum energy efficiency

The permanent magnet synchronous motor with internal magnets (IPMSM) is the ideal motor for traction applications where the maximum torque does not occur at maximum speed. This type of motor is used in applications that require high dynamics and overload capacity. And it is also the perfect choice if you want to operate fans or pumps in the IE4 and IE5 range. The high purchase costs are usually recouped through energy savings over the run time, provided that you operate it with the right variable frequency drive.

Our motor-mounted variable frequency drives use an integrated control strategy based on MTPA (Maximum Torque per Ampere). This allows you to operate your permanent magnet synchronous motors with maximum energy efficiency. The overload of 200 %, the excellent starting torque, and the extended speed control range also allow you to fully exploit the motor rating. For fast recovery of costs and the most efficient control processes.

Permanent magnet synchronous motors with external magnets for classic servo applications

Permanent magnet synchronous motors with external magnets (SPMSM) are ideal motors when you need high overloads and rapid acceleration, for example in classic servo applications. The elongated design also results in low mass inertia and can be optimally installed. However, one disadvantage of the system consisting of SPMSM and variable frequency drive is the costs associated with it, as expensive plug technology and high-quality encoders are often used.

Applications:

Permanent magnet synchronous motors can be combined with frequency converters to form the best open-loop step-less speed control system, which has been widely used for speed control transmission equipment in petrochemical, chemical fiber, textile, machinery, electronics, glass, rubber, packaging, printing, paper making, printing and dyeing, metallurgy and other industries.

Self-sensing versus closed-loop operation

Recent advances in drive technology allow standard ac drives to “self-detect” and track the motor magnet position. A closed-loop system typically uses the z-pulse channel to optimize performance. Through certain routines, the drive knows the exact position of the motor magnet by tracking the A/B channels and correcting for errors with the z-channel. Knowing the exact position of the magnet allows for optimum torque production resulting in optimum efficiency.

Flux weakening/intensifying of PM motors

Flux in a permanent magnet motor is generated by the magnets. The flux field follows a certain path, which can be boosted or opposed. Boosting or intensifying the flux field will allow the motor to temporarily increase torque production. Opposing the flux field will negate the existing magnet field of the motor. The reduced magnet field will limit torque production, but reduce the back-emf voltage. The reduced back-emf voltage frees up the voltage to push the motor to operate at higher output speeds. Both types of operation require additional motor current. The direction of the motor current across the d-axis, provided by the motor controller, determines the desired effect.

The permanent magnet synchronous motor has the following characteristics:

1. Rated efficiency is 2% to 5% higher than normal asynchronous motors;

2. The efficiency rises rapidly with the increase of the load. When the load changes within the range of 25% to 120%, it maintains high efficiency. The high-efficiency operating range is much higher than that of ordinary asynchronous motors. Light-load, variable-load, and full-load all have significant energy-saving effects;

3. Power factors up to 0.95 and above, no reactive compensation required;

4. The power factor is greatly improved. Compared with asynchronous motors, the running current is reduced by more than 10%. Due to the decrease in operating current and system losses, energy-saving effects of about 1% can be achieved.

5. Low-temperature rise, high power density: 20K lower than three-phase asynchronous motor temperature rise, the design temperature rise is the same and can be made into a smaller volume, saving more effective materials;

6. High starting torque and high overload capacity: according to requirements, it can be designed with high starting torque (3-5 times) and high overload capacity;

7. The variable frequency speed control system is used, which is better in dynamic response and better than that of asynchronous motors.

8. The installation dimensions are the same as the asynchronous motors currently widely used, and the design and selection are very convenient.

9. Due to the increase in power factor, the visual power of the power supply system transformer is greatly reduced, which improves the power supply capacity of the transformer, and can also greatly reduce the cost of the system cable (new project);

10. When the new project is built, all the drive systems use permanent magnet synchronous motors, the project investment is basically the same as the use of asynchronous motors, and the project can continue to obtain energy-saving benefits after the project is put into operation;

In the general industrial sector, the replacement of low-voltage(380/660/1140V) high-efficiency asynchronous motors, the system saves 5% to 30% energy, and the high-voltage(6kV/10kV) high-efficiency asynchronous motors, system saves 2% to10%.