In this study, tests were carried out on a brushless permanent magnet DC motor with different winding configurations. Three configurations were compared: star, delta and combined star–delta. A mathematical model was constructed for the motor, taking into account the different winding configurations. An analysis of the operation of the motor in the different configurations was performed, based on numerical calculations. The use of different winding configurations affects the properties of the motor. This is significant in the case of the occurrence of various fault states. Based on numerical calculations, an analysis of an open-circuit fault in one of the phases of the motor was performed. Fast Fourier Transform—FFT analysis of the artificial neutral-point voltage was used for the detection of fault states. The results were verified by tests carried out under laboratory conditions. It was shown that the winding configuration has an impact on the behaviour of the motor in the case of an open circuit in one of the phases. The classical star configuration is the worst of the possible arrangements. The most favourable in this respect is the delta configuration. In the case of the combined star–delta configuration, the consequences of the fault depend on the location of the open circuit.

The main advantages of multi-winding (multiphase) induction machines include reducing torque ripple, decreasing rotor harmonics losses, reducing the current per phase without increasing the voltage per phase, reducing the current harmonics of the DC voltage source, and high fault tolerance. The authors propose a theoretical description for the harmonic content of the DC-link current, magnetomotive force, and electromagnetic torque of a multi-winding induction machine (IM), and an account of the interaction of the time harmonics for the power supply and the spatial harmonics for winding functions is presented. The proposed theoretical analysis has made it possible to substantiate supply-winding schemes for the compensation of higher harmonics (6th and 12th in the DC-link current and the IM’s electromagnetic torque) and the improvement of the electromagnetic and electromechanical compatibility of the multi-winding machine, which are justified according to the proposed theoretical description. Further, a schematic solution for the multi-winding induction motor with electronic changing of the pole number is proposed to provide a reduction in speed ripples at low rotation speeds. This decrease is ensured by increasing the number of pole pairs and increasing the frequency of the supply voltage. Mathematical models of multi-winding switch control-based induction machines are developed using the method of average voltages in the integration step for an investigation of electromagnetic and electromechanical processes. It is shown that the developed models are distinguished by high speed of response and accuracy. This is confirmed by the comparative analysis using known methods and models in the Matlab environment, as well as a comparison of the simulation results with the known results of physical experiments. The results of mathematical modeling show that the use of a multi-winding IM with appropriate supply-winding schemes stands to significantly reduce the ripples of the IM’s electromagnetic torque and DC-link current in the case of using six-step voltage source inverters. This makes this type of inverter suitable for use in a frequency-controlled electric drive as an alternative to using a PWM inverter, which has a negative influence on the IM’s state.

In the paper, the modified (compared to the classical asymmetric half-bridge) converter for a switched reluctance machine with an asymmetric rotor magnetic circuit was analysed. An analysis for two various structures of switched reluctance motors was conducted. The rotor shaping was used to obtain required start-up torque or/and to obtain less electromagnetic torque ripple. The discussed converter gives a possibility to turn a phase off much later while reduced time of a current flows in a negative slope of inductance. The results of the research in the form of waveforms of currents, voltages and electromagnetic torque were presented. Conclusions were formulated concerning the comparison of the characteristics of SRM supplied by the classic converter and by the one supplied by the analysed converter.

This paper presents a description and the results of simulations and laboratory tests of proposed methods for dependent torque control in a Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM). The proposed methods are based on Dependent Torque Motor Control (Rising Slope), DTMC^(RC), and Dependent Torque Motor Control (Falling Slope), DTMC^(FC). The results of these studies were compared with those on the Classical Torque Motor Control (CTMC) method. Studies were conducted for each of the analyzed control methods by determining the efficiency of the drive and the RMS of the source current and analyzing the vibrations generated for each of the control methods. The harmonics of the phase currents, which caused an increase in the level of vibrations generated, were determined. The usefulness of the proposed methods for controlling SRMs was assessed based on simulations and experiments. Additionally, the natural frequencies of the stator of the tested SRM were determined by a simulation using the Ansys Maxwell suite. The levels of vibration acceleration generated by the SRM were compared for the considered control methods.

This paper presents a proposal of a new control method of the switched reluctance motor (SRM) in the low-speed range. The proposed method limits the maximum value of SRM drive supply current. The application of this method results also in improvement of the drive efficiency compared to the classical current control method, so it can be applied to control switched reluctance motors designed to the electric vehicles drive. The method may be effective especially in congested traffic. Nowadays, the urban traffic is characterized by frequent occurrence of traffic jams in which cars move at low speeds. The sources of supply for electric vehicles are mainly electrochemical batteries. Reduction of the maximum value of supply current allows to extend the service life of batteries and improvement of the drive efficiency extends the vehicle range.

This paper focuses on analyzing asymmetric and open-phase fault modes in symmetrical two-channel six-phase induction machines while considering the spatial harmonics of the electromagnetic field in the air gap. Under sinusoidal power supply, the magnetomotive force exhibits high-order spatial harmonics, which arise due to the winding design. The interaction between these spatial harmonics and the first-time harmonic of the power supply results in the presence of high-order harmonics in the current and electromagnetic torque. The harmonic content of the currents and torque under asymmetric and open-phase operation mode while taking into account spatial harmonics is analyzed. It is shown that in asymmetrical modes, in addition to the 5th, 7th, 11th, and 13th higher harmonics found in symmetrical modes, harmonics in multiples of the 3rd are introduced into the stator winding currents. As for the composition of the electromagnetic torque in asymmetrical modes, all even harmonics are present, in addition to the 6th and 12th harmonics that are characteristic of symmetrical modes. A mathematical model of the six-phase induction machine has been developed using the average voltages within the integration step method. Its adequacy was verified by comparing the simulation results with the experimental results obtained from the developed prototype.