Chapter 1

Introduction to Electric
Drive Systems

© 2000 http://www.ece.umn.edu/groups/electricdrives
 1-1

History
o Constant frequency AC - essentially constant pump
speed
o Inefficient - Heat generated in pump and throttling
valve
o Not amenable to automation
Throttling
Valve
Outlet

MOTOR
Inlet
Constant Pump
frequency
AC
Þ Essentially
Constant Speed

© 2000 http://www.ece.umn.edu/groups/electricdrives
 1-2

Trend : Adjustable Speed Drives (ASDs)

Outlet

Adjustable
Speed Drive
(ASD)
Inlet
Constant
frequency Adjustable fequency Adjustable Pump
AC electric converter speed

o Driven at appropriate speed

u High Efficiency

© 2000 http://www.ece.umn.edu/groups/electricdrives
 1-3
What is an Electric-Motor Drive?
Electric
Drive

Power
Processing Motor Load
fixed Unit (PPU)
form
adjustable speed /
Electric Source position
form
(utility)
Sensors

Controller measured Power

speed/ position Signal

input command
(speed / position)

w Role of Electric Drive: Efficient conversion of power

from electrical to mechanical
w Role of PPU: Delivers appropriate form of frequency
to motor (as required by the load)

© 2000 http://www.ece.umn.edu/groups/electricdrives
 1-4

World Market and Scope

w healthy growth rate w A very wide range of

~ 25% per year speed and power

© 2000 http://www.ece.umn.edu/groups/electricdrives
 1-5

Factors for Growth

o Technical Advances in

u Linear ICs and Digital Signal Processors

u Power devices

o Market Needs

u $20 Billion market in 1997

u 25% Growth rate

© 2000 http://www.ece.umn.edu/groups/electricdrives
 1-6

Typical Applications
o Process Industry - agitators, pumps, fans, compressors
o Machining - planers, winches, calendars, chippers, drill
presses, sanders, extruders, grinders, mills, presses
o Heating and Air Conditioning - blowers, compressors
o Paper and Steel Industry - hoists, rollers
o Transportation - elevators, trains, automobiles
o Textile - looms
o Packaging - shears
o Food - conveyors, fans
o Oil, Gas , Mining - compressors, pumps, cranes, shovels
o Residential - heat pumps, freezers, washing machines

© 2000 http://www.ece.umn.edu/groups/electricdrives
 1-7

Application for Energy Conservation

o Heat Pumps and air-conditioners - cycled operation
ideal loss actual

Compressor
Output

ON OFF

w 30% improvement in efficiency by running

compressor at appropriately reduced speed
using an ASD

© 2000 http://www.ece.umn.edu/groups/electricdrives
 1-8

Energy Conservation in Pumps

throttling
valve Pressure (H)
outlet
Q2 ( H2 + H , Q2 )
A ( H 1 , Q1 )
DH
motor H 2 + DH H2

Q2 Pump curve at
pump inlet D C B full speed
full speed
( H 2 , Q2 )
Throttled
System Pump curve at
no throttling outlet Curve reduced speed
valve Q2 Pressure across
throttling valve, DH
Adjustable Unthrottled
H2 System
Speed Drive
(ASD) Curve
Q2
inlet 0 Q2 Q1
reduced pump Flow Rate (Q)
speed

u Throttling introduces extra pressure drop, DH

u ASD reduces pump speed to match load requirement

© 2000 http://www.ece.umn.edu/groups/electricdrives
 1-9

Energy Conservation in Blower Systems

100 Outlet damper

80

60
Inlet vane
Power Consumption
(% of full flow rate)
40

Electric drive
20

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30

% Flow Rate

o Relative power consumption using three methods

to reduce blower flow rate

© 2000 http://www.ece.umn.edu/groups/electricdrives
 1-10

Harnessing Wind Energy

Constant
Variable frequency
Frequency AC
Variable Variable Power
speed AC Processing
wind
Variable generator Unit
speed Utility

Wind turbine

© 2000 http://www.ece.umn.edu/groups/electricdrives
 1-11

Hybrid Electric Vehicles

IC Continuously
Variable
Engine Transmission

Electric
Motor

© 2000 http://www.ece.umn.edu/groups/electricdrives
 1-12

Multi-disciplinary Nature of Electric Drives

Machine
Utility Theory Power
Interaction Electronics

Electric
Control
Sensors Drives
Theory

Mechanical Real-time
system
modelling DSP control

© 2000 http://www.ece.umn.edu/groups/electricdrives
 1-13

Evolution of Power Processing Unit

200
120
100

Relative unit
150
80 Com ponents
Size (volum e) 100
%

60 Functions
Weight
40 50
20
0
0

1968

1983

1988
1993

1998
1968 1988 1998
Year Year

4kW Danfoss VLTR power processing unit

© 2000 http://www.ece.umn.edu/groups/electricdrives
 1-14

Summary
• What is an electric drive? Draw the block diagram and
explain the roles of its various components.
• What has been the traditional approach to controlling flow
rate in the process industry?
What are the major disadvantages which can be overcome
by using adjustable speed drives?
• What are the factors responsible for the growth of the
adjustable-speed drive market?
• How does an air conditioner work?
(Consult a handbook such as [10].)
• How does a heat pump work?
• How do ASDs save energy in air conditioning and heat
pump systems?
© 2000 http://www.ece.umn.edu/groups/electricdrives
 1-15

Summary
o What is the role of ASDs in industrial systems?
o There are proposals to store energy in flywheels for load
leveling in utility systems. During the off-peak period
for energy demand at night, these flywheels are charged
to high speeds. At peak periods during the day, this energy
is supplied back to the utility. How would ASDs play a role
in this scheme?
o What is the role of electric drives in electric transportation
systems of various types?
o List a few specific examples from the applications mentioned
in section 1-4 that you are personally familiar with.
o What are the different disciplines that make up the study
and design of electric-drive systems?

© 2000 http://www.ece.umn.edu/groups/electricdrives