Line-Start Vernier Permanent Magnet Machines

Vernier permanent magnet (VPM) machine has become a good candidate to drive the pump and fan loads, since these loads always operate at low speed and require high output torque. In these applications, the machine operates near a fixed speed and requires no speed adjustment capability. Hence, the inverter can be replaced by a line-start unit, and the machine can be connected directly to the grid, which reduces the weight, volume, and cost of the whole system. However, the novel magnetic gearing effect in the VPM machine causes two issues. First, the abundant magnetic field harmonics interact with the line-start unit and produce strong braking torque even at steady-state operation; second, large harmonic leakage inductance reduces the starting capability. Therefore, the traditional method to build a line-start machine is not suitable for the VPM machine. In this article, a line-start VPM (LSVPM) machine topology is proposed. By analyzing two issues above, the structure and pole-pair of both stator armature and rotor wound windings are carefully selected, and finally pole-changing strategy is chosen to start the machine. The performances of the proposed machine are verified by finite element analysis (FEA), which shows it has 49% higher torque density than regular line-start permanent magnet machine, and has the capability to start with the rated pump load. A prototype also has been built and tested to demonstrate the analysis and simulation.