Post-Fault Operation of Bearingless Multisector SPM Machines by Space Vector Control

In this article, a novel post fault control algorithm based on the space vector method is presented and applied to a bearingless multisector permanent magnet synchronous machine with a triple three-phase winding. First, 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 multisector permanent magnet synchronous machine.