Post Fault Operation of a Bearingless Multi-Sector SPM Machine by Space Vector Control

In this paper a novel post fault control algorithm based on the space vector method is presented and applied to a bearingless multi-sector permanent magnet synchronous machine with a triple three-phase winding. Firstly, the expressions of the current space vectors as a function of the electromagnetic suspension force and motoring torque are introduced. Then, the open-circuit fault is described and a new post fault algorithm is introduced. The introduced post fault algorithm, based on the minimization of the stator copper losses, is compared at simulation level with an existing one, where the above-mentioned loss minimization was not considered. The simulation results show a remarkable improvement in the performance when the novel post fault algorithm is employed. Finally, the developed control algorithm is experimentally validated on a prototype of a bearingless multi-sector permanent magnet synchronous machine.