Multiple 3-Phase PMA-SynRM With Delta Windings for Enhanced Fault Tolerance

In this article, a novel multiple three-phase PM assisted synchronous reluctance machine with delta windings is proposed for enhanced fault tolerance. The delta connected windings offer an additional degree of freedom of the phase currents. Hence, this machine drive could provide higher torque under phase open-circuit condition. More importantly, the delta windings inherently contain zero sequence current path and could help reducing the turn fault current in the event of the most challenging turn short-circuit fault. Owing to the zero sequence current, the residual flux linkage of the fault turn is more effectively nullified leading to lower fault current. The proposed machine performance together with fault tolerant capability under various fault scenarios are investigated and compared with the star connected winding machine by detailed finite element simulation and experimental tests. It shows that the two machines have the same performance under healthy condition whilst the delta winding machine exhibits higher fault tolerance. These advantages are achieved simply by changing the winding connections without any extra cost. Thus, it is more favorable for the fault tolerant applications.