Patent GB-1492782-A (GB)
Title: Methods and apparatus for speed-control of induction motors
IPC: H02P21/00
Filed: 1974-02-01
Abstract: 1492782 Control of A.C. motors NATIONAL RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT CORP 29 Jan 1975 [1 Feb 1974] 4768/74 Heading H2J A reversible induction or synchronous motor, which is energized from an A.C. supply of fixed frequency, has its speed continuously varied by generating a near-sinusoidal modulating wave of continuously-variable frequency lower than the supply frequency, sampling the amplitude of the modulating wave once during each half cycle of the A.C. supply and deriving a stepwise-varying alternating modulating wave of the same modulating wave frequency, deriving therefrom two full-wave rectified, stepwise varying modulation waves, the first positive and the second negative, generating two timing waves cosinusoidally varying in amplitude at the supply frequency, the first one solely positive-going from zero amplitude and the second solely negative-going from zero amplitude, the first rectified modulation wave and the first timing wave having substantially the same positive maximum amplitude, and the second rectified modulation wave and the second timing wave having substantially the same negative maximum amplitude, comparing the instantaneous positive amplitudes of the first rectified and timing waves, deriving a first series of firing pulses each extending in duration from an instant of amplitude equality of the first rectified and timing waves to the next-following instant of zero-amplitude of the timing wave, comparing the instantaneous negative amplitudes of the second rectified and timing waves, deriving a second series of firing pulses each extending in duration from an instant of amplitude equality of the second rectified and timing waves to the next-following instant of zero amplitude of the timing wave, and permitting the energizing current of the motor to flow solely during the intervals defined by the firing pulses. The following applications of the invention are envisaged:- (1) A single phase supply is modulated by a single phase, variable frequency, modulating wave to obtain two sources at two sideband frequencies, either of which can be used to derive a series of firing pulses for controlling a single phase supply to a single phase, variable speed A.C. motor. (2) A single phase supply is modulated by three, phase-displaced modulating waves to produce two, three-phase sources at the two sideband frequencies, either of which can be used to derive three series of firing pulses for controlling a three-phase supply to a threephase, variable speed motor. (3) A polyphase supply has each phase modulated by the same modulating wave to produce two three-phase sets at the sideband frequencies, either of which can be used to provide firing pulses for controlling a three-phase supply to a three-phase variable speed motor. (4) Each phase of a polyphase supply is modulated by a respective one of a polyphase set of modulating waves. For example a supply Vc sin(Wct), Vc sin(Wct-2#/ 3 ) and Vc sin (Wet-4#/ 3 ) may be modulated either (a) by waves M sinWmt, M sin(Wmt-2#/ 3 ) and M sin(Wmt-4#/ 3 ) to produce a co-phasal set of waves at frequency (Wc-Wm) and a threephase set at frequency (Wc + Wm), the latter being used to derive firing pulses for controlling a three-phase supply to a three-phase motor, or (b) by waves M sin Wmt, M sin(Wmt-4#/ 3 ) M sin(Wm-2#/ 3 ) to produce a co-phasal set of waves of frequency (Wc + Wm) and a threephase set at frequency (Wc-Wm), the latter being used to derive firing pulses for controlling a three-phase supply to a three-phase motor. (5) The sidebands of frequency (Wc-Wm) and (Wc+Wm) obtained from applications (1) to (4) are modulated by a modulating wave of frequency We to produce a sideband of the same frequency Wm as the original modulating wave. The firing pulses control triacs through which the motor is supplied and the preferred embodiment uses double modulation as in (5) above, with the amplitude of the primary modulating wave being sampled at the beginning of each half cycle of the A.C supply and the triac being fired during that half cycle at a time such that the volt-second integral of the voltage between the firing instant and the end of that half cycle is proportional to the sampled modulating wave amplitude. Figure 1 shows the waveforms and firing pulses for the preferred embodiment, the modulating wave (a) being sampled at the zero crossing points of A.C. supply (b) to produce the sampled wave (c), whose positive and negative rectified waves are compared in (d) and (f) with respective positive and negative cosine timing waves to produce first and second series of firing pulses (e) and (g), which are combined at (h) to form pulse trains for firing the triacs in the motor circuit. Each "block" represents a train of firing pulses to ensure firing of the triacs at or as soon as possible after the instants of equality of the sets of waves in (d) and (f). A polarity signal (i) effects 180 degrees phase shift or polarity reversal of the supply wave (b) during each negative half cycle of the wave (a), this phase shift being effected by the circuit of Fig. 2A or Fig. 3. In the former (representing one phase of a three phase motor supply) motor windings 5, 6 are energized in phase opposition through triacs X, Y, which conduct during alternate half cycles of the supply to effect the polarity reversal. In Fig. 3 the motor winding 11 is controlled by triacs X, X<SP>1</SP>, Y, Y<SP>1</SP> fired in pairs XX<SP>1</SP> and YY<SP>1</SP> for alternate polarities of the A.C. supply. Double modulation is effected by superimposing on the polarity signal (i) a rectangular wave of the same frequency as that of wave (b), whereby a modulated polarity signal is produced, Fig. 4 (not shown). A control circuit is described, Fig. 5 (not shown) providing the firing pulses for the triacs in a single phase supply or one phase of a three phase supply, Fig. 2B (not shown), connected and controlled as for Fig. 2A. Another control circuit is described in detail, Fig. 6 (not shown), which circuit. produces firing pulses for the triacs X, X<SP>1</SP>, Y, Y<SP>1</SP> of Fig. 3 and includes means to prevent simultaneous conduction of both triacs associated with a particular phase, which means either inhibits firing of the triacs near the zero-crossings of the supply or detects the triac voltage and current to allow firing only when these are correct. Comparison is made with the motor control systems of Specifications 1,328,241 and 1,449,600.