Efficiency Mapping of Single Phase Induction Machines for Motoring and Generating Operations

Abstract

Single Phase Induction Machines formthework horse of various fractional-power domestic and agricultural applications such as vacuum cleaners, fans, water pumps etc. They are often designed to be simple, rugged and low-cost. This work is aimed at using these single-phase induction machines for wider applications. A majority of single-phase induction machines are capacitor-start type of induction machines. These machines have two-stator windings in space and time quadrature. One of these windings is used only to start the machine. The possibility of using this passive winding as an active winding, functional throughout the machine operation, by simply retrofitting a run capacitor, has been discussed in this work. Consequently, this two-phase winding machine has been proposed to be used as a wind turbine generator coupled with power electronics. The suggested dc-link inverter single-phase induction machine system can be an economical generator system to provide for fractional horsepower applications as compared to the conventional and expensive permanent magnet generators. Computer simulation results have been used to confirm the analytical results of the proposed two-phase machine and wind-turbine generator system. Results of some preliminary experiments from a laboratory prototype of the two-phase motor have been presented.