Permanent Magnet Synchronous motor (PMSM) has a
wound stator, a permanent magnet rotor assembly,
and internal or external devices to sense rotor
position. The sensing devices provide position
feedback for adjusting frequency and amplitude of
stator voltage reference properly to maintain
rotation of the magnet assembly. The combination
of an inner permanent magnet rotor and outer
windings offers the advantages of low rotor
inertia, efficient heat dissipation, and reduction
of the motor size.
- Synchronous motor construction: Permanent magnets
are rigidly fixed to the rotating axis to create a
constant rotor flux. This rotor flux usually has a
constant magnitude. When energized, the stator
windings create a rotating electromagnetic field.
To control the rotating magnetic field, the stator
currents must be controlled.
- The actual structure of the rotor varies
depending on the power range and rated speed of
the machine. Permanent magnets are an excellent
choice for synchronous machines ranging up-to a
few Kilowatts. For higher power ratings the rotor
usually consists of windings in which a DC current
circulates. The mechanical structure of the rotor
is designed for number of poles desired, and the
desired flux gradients desired.
- The interaction between the stator and rotor
fluxes produces torque. Since the stator is firmly
mounted to the frame, and the rotor is free to
rotate, the rotor rotates, producing a useful
mechanical output as shown in Figure 2-7.
- The angle between the rotor magnetic field and
stator field must be carefully controlled to
produce maximum torque and achieve high
electromechanical conversion efficiency. For this
purpose fine-tuning is needed after closing the
speed loop using a sensorless algorithm to draw
the minimum amount of current under the same speed
and torque conditions.
- The rotating stator field must rotate at the same
frequency as the rotor permanent magnetic field;
otherwise, the rotor experiences rapidly
alternating positive and negative torque. This
results in less than excellent torque production,
and excessive mechanical vibration, noise, and
mechanical stresses on the machine parts. In
addition, if the rotor inertia prevents the rotor
from being able to respond to these oscillations,
the rotor stops rotating at the synchronous
frequency, and responds to the average torque as
seen by the stationary rotor: Zero. This means
that the machine experiences a phenomenon known as
pull-out. This is also the reason why the
synchronous machine is not self starting.
- The angle between the rotor field and the stator
field must be equal to 90º to obtain the highest
mutual torque production. This synchronization
requires knowing the rotor position to generate
the right stator field.
- The stator magnetic field can be made to have any
direction and magnitude by combining the contribution of different stator phases
to produce the resulting stator flux.