Fault Detection of PMS Motor Mated to Gear Box by Monitoring Inverter Input Currents

In the sectors of propulsion, aviation (More Electric Aircraft), and maritime operations, electric power systems and control have advanced dramatically. It is crucial to detect the emergence of fault conditions in the early stages while using the systems in critical environments. Vibration analysis, thermal analysis, flux measurement analysis, and motor current signature analysis (MCSA) are some of the existing methods for monitoring motor status. The purpose of this research work is to track the input currents to the inverter and analyze the motor state using the fault signal that is propagated from the torque disturbance on the motor shaft. This research suggests a fault detection methodology for DC supplied permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive systems because the prior method involved monitoring the drive DC input current. This method's basis is the transmission of failure signals from the torque disturbance on the motor shaft to the inverter input currents. The accuracy of this fault signal propagation is validated by MATLAB simulation with experiment tests at actual defective conditions. The feasibility of this approach is demonstrated by the experimental test that the Spectra test rig carried out using an actual gearbox failure. This detection system can also be used to monitor other drive devices, such as the power converter or the motor itself, using just one set of current transducers mounted at the DC input side. Because the other approaches have space and reliability issues, this method of analysis was specifically chosen. When employing integrated drives or owing to other factors, it becomes impractical.