Energy Efficient Electric Drivetrain Employing Magnetic Spring for Weaving Loom Applications

Abstract

This paper compares three drivetrains for the shedding mechanism of weaving loom applications, which have a strongly oscillating load pattern. The three drivetrains employ a permanent magnet motor without a gearbox. The first drivetrain uses only the electric motor (EM1) while the other two drivetrains use the electric motor with assistance of a separate or an integrated magnetic spring (EM2MS or EMMS respectively). The magnetic spring provides part of the load torque in a passive way. This results in a reduced energy consumption. The optimal design and the performance of the machines have been presented for the considered application. It is found that employing a magnetic spring can effectively reduce the power consumption of the drivetrain by more than 40%. However, introducing the magnetic spring reduces the flexibility of the system. Besides, it increases the initial cost. Nevertheless, the higher initial cost will be paid back by lower energy consumption.

Energy Efficient Electric Drivetrain Employing Magnetic Spring for Weaving Loom Applications

“…Therefore, the actual energy consumed in the loom is more than that needed to produce the fabric [9]- [11]. For this study, a given weaving loom is employed [10]. The torque and speed of the load are necessary to select/design the driving electric motor.…”

Performance of Electric Motor With Integrated Magnetic Spring Under Rotor Eccentricity

“…It was found that the fractional slot machine (10 pole/12 slot) showed more harmonic components of the unbalanced magnetic force than 8 pole/12 slot machine. Electric motor with integrated magnetic spring (EMMS) is a novel machine that is recently proposed in the literature to be used for applications with cyclic load torque profile such as weaving looms [7]- [10]. In weaving looms, the load torque contains an oscillating part which can be provided by the magnetic spring in a passive way, hence reducing the energy consumption.…”