9422549 Vithayathil This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project explores a new concept for a brushless exciterless three-phase synchronous motor. Experimental confirmation of brushless excitation was established in Phase I. An adjustable speed AC drive system will be developed in Phase II. The system will consist of the brushless exciterless synchronous motor, the three-phase inverter, and the controller. The motor will have a full load output of 15 horsepower, and its magnteic core laminations will be specifically tailored to the brushless excitation scheme. The controller will use vector control implemented with digital processing of signal and inputs from isolated current sensors and a shaft position sensor. Base speed will be 1800 rpm, and the upper limit of the speed control range will be 3000 rpm with field weakening. Potential commercial applications of the new drive system are expected in machine drives, mill drives and other industrial drives requiring high dynamic performance, and in electrically powered vehicle drives.
