Adjustable frequency electric motors

Whenever the process machine operates at the same speed as its driver, the two can be directly coupled. This direct couphng stiU allows for a variable speed, through acuustments of the speed or the driver. Steam turbine speed can be easily adjusted, and electric motor speed can also be varied by the use of special drives that vaiw the frequency of the power applied to the motor. Wdiether the speed is fixed or variable, direci coupling of two machine shafts presents the problem of accommodation of misalignment. To this purpose, machines are coupled through a.flexible coupling. 

Frequency converters constructed for use with three-phase motors less than 4 kW can therefore be delivered with a single-phase supply from the electrical mains. For greater power requirements, it is most common to use a three-phase power supply. Through switches and potentiometers or the programming module of the frequency converter, the important parameters of electrical motors can be adjusted as needed. 

Rotating electrical machines shall be tested at standstill and running with 0.9X 1.0X their rated speed. The rotor causes a certain turbulence of the test gas, resulting mainly in a considerably increased dp/dt value [2] and enhanced peak pressure. Cage induction motors may be fed from outside with an adjustable voltage and frequency via a frequency convertor, motors with sliprings or commutators need an auxiliary drive, e.g. a small cage induction motor powered by said frequency convertor. 

DC motor drives have always offered high torque at all speeds and exact control of motion speed. AC induction motors have reliably converted electricity into rotary power for many years, and recently adjustable-frequency controls add variable-speed capability. While AC motors were originally relegated to relatively simple tasks, such as varying the flow rates of fans or pumps, advances in both motor and control technologies have allowed their use in higher performance operations. They are reliable sources of fixed-speed and variable-speed rotating power. Electric drives with appropriate closed-loop control operate only when required. However, to avoid unsuccessful apphca-tions, it is important to properly match the load, motor, and controller. 

The Drum Drive The drum drive is mounted on the side of the trough opposite the frequency invertor control valve. The driving unit consists of an electric motor, regulator and slip-on gear and for a drum rotation speed adjustable over a wide range. 

HG. E-12 Controller output voltage versus frequency relationship for adjustable-speed reduction motors. (Source Reliance Electric.)... 

The most popiilar form of motor speed control for adjustable-speed pumping is the voltage-controlled pulse-width-modulated (PWM) frequency synthesizer and AC squirrel-cage induction motor combination. The flexibility of apphcation of the PWM motor drive and its 90 percent- - electric efficiency along with the proven ruggedness of the traditional AC induction motor makes this combination popular. 

The merits of a variable-speed motor would appear to be obvious, as many compressors in the past have benefited from the variable speed available in a steam turbine. A compressor may be adjusted as required to meet the process needs. The advent of the variable-frequency drive returns some of the benefits to the process operator that were lost when the more favor able electric energy caused motors to replace steam turbines. 

Harmonic number (h) refers to the individual frequency elements that comprise a composite waveform. For example, h = 5 refers to the fifth harmonic component with a frequency equal to five times the fundamental frequency. If the fundamental frequency is 60 Hz, then the fifth harmonic frequency is 5 x 60, or 300 Hz. The harmonic number 6 is a component with a frequency of 360 Hz. Dealing with harmonic numbers and not with harmonic frequencies is done for two reasons. The fundamental frequency varies among individual countries and applications. The fundamental frequency in the U.S. is 60 Hz, whereas in Europe and many Asian countries it is 50 Hz. Also, some applications use frequencies other than 50 or 60 Hz for example, 400 Hz is a common frequency in the aerospace industry, while some AC systems for electric traction use 25 Hz as the frequency. The inverter part of an AC adjustable speed drive can operate at any frequency between zero and its full rated maximum frequency, and the fundamental frequency then becomes the frequency at which the motor is operating. The use of harmonic numbers allows us to simplify how we express harmonics. The second reason for using harmonic numbers is the simplification realized in performing mathematical operations involving harmonics. 

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