Chapter 1

Electric Drives (Student’s Solution)
Being sent for review, proof reading and suggestions
Chapter -1
Problem 1.1
Electric drives and motors are used to actuate/move certain parts in the robot, these parts can be
arms, fingers, wheels and many other things. They are an essential component of any robot, without
them we cannot build robots. Electric Drives are readily adaptable to computer control, the
predominant technology used today for robot controllers. Electric drive robots are relatively
accurate compared to hydraulically powered robots.
Electric drives have some advantages that make them useful in the industry. They have flexible
control characteristics. This means that the steady-state and dynamic behavior of electric drives can
be shaped to satisfy load requirements. Drives can be provided with automatic fault detection
systems. They are available in wide range of torque, speed and power. Electric motors have high
efficiency, low no load losses and considerable short time overloading capability. They are adaptable
to almost any operating conditions such as explosive and radioactive environment, submerge in
liquids, vertical mountings. They do not pollute the environment. Electric drives can operate in four
quadrants of speed-torque plane. Electric braking gives smooth deceleration and increases life of the
equipment compared to other forms of braking. When regenerative braking is possible, considerable
saving of energy is achieved. They are powered by electrical energy which has a number of
advantages over other forms of energy. It can be generate and transport to the desired point
economically and efficiently. These features are no available in other prime movers. Moreover,
electric drives don need to refuel or warn-up the motor. Electric drives are quiet in nature as well as
takes up less floor space. With all this characteristics an electric drive is precise in its operations.
212001760 BRANDON LUFRENZ MATSUIB
Problem 1.2
(i) The essential parts of an electrical drive are:

 Source
 Power Modulator
 Motor
 Load
 Control Unit
(ii) Functions of power modulators are:

 To modulate flow of power from the source to the motor such that the
motor impart speed-torque characteristics required by the load.
 To restrict source and motor current, during transient operations such as
starting, braking and speed reversal as excessive current drawn from the
source may overload it or cause voltage dip.
 To convert electrical energy of the source in the form suitable to the motor.
 To select mode of operation of motors.
213013606 NDINELAO IPUMBU NANGOLO

Problem 1.3 – Solution not submitted (To be added soon)
Problem 1.4
Power converters form a class within power modulators and these converters come in different
forms and sizes depending on the various applications in which they are used or required for. There
are AC-to-DC, AC-to-AC, DC-to-AC and DC-to-DC power converters.
1. AC-to-DC converter:
These are used to get a fixed dc supply voltage from a fixed ac supply voltage source; these
type of converters consists of controlled and uncontrolled rectifiers. These converters can
be further classified into smaller groups based on their methods of construction, efficiencies,
number of phases, TUF and power ratings.
2. AC to AC converter: These type of converters are used to get a variable ac voltage of a fixed
frequency from a source to a fixed ac voltage. Due to the fact that both the input and
output voltages are sinusoidal, the output voltage level is adjusted by varying the amplitude
of the output voltage.
3. DC-to-AC converters (Inverters):

Inverters are used to get a variable frequency ac voltage or current from a dc supply.
Inverters can be designed to either be ac voltage or ac current sources and can be referred
to as such. The output ac current or voltage is adjusted by changing/varying the input dc
voltage.
4. DC-to-DC converts (Choppers):

Choppers are used to get a variable dc voltage from a fixed dc voltage supply, these
converters are designed using semiconductor devices such as power transistors, IGBTs, GTO,
Power MOSFETs and thyristors. The output voltages are adjusted/varied by adjusting the
duty ratios of the devices used.
5. Cycloconverters:
These are another type of ac-to-ac voltage converters. These converters are used to convert
an ac supply of fixed voltage and frequency into one that constitutes of a varying output
voltage and a varying output frequency. This type of converter is constructed/ designed
using thyristors and the control is achieved by varying the firing angle of the thyristors. The
output frequency is restricted to 40% of the input frequency in order to keep the output
voltage harmonics and source currents within acceptable limits.
All in all, these converters were designed to enable machine operators and energy distributors to
achieve desired voltages and currents for the desired applications; which in turn leads to great
energy resource management and cheaper operational costs.
214042510 KELVINE FESSY NAFUKA AMUKWAYA

Problem 1.5
Different Electrical Drives require different types of sources. Very Low power drives generally require
a single-phase source while on the other hand, High Power drives require a three-phase source.
Most of these Electrical drives are powered from ac sources either directly or through converter
links. Synchronous and Induction Motors attain a maximum speed of only 3000 rpm when powered
by a 50Hz ac supply. For higher speeds to be achieved, conversion to a higher frequency is required.
Low and medium power motors are generally fed from 400 V supply while for higher ratings, 3.3kV,
6.6kV, 11kV or higher voltages may be used. In aircraft and space applications, 400 Hz ac supply is
generally used to achieve high power to weight ratio. Although choice of motor significantly depend
on the type of supply, many other factors which are even more important should be considered.
Therefore a dc motor may be preferred over ac even when the ac supply is available and ac motors
may be preferred over dc even when the supply is dc.
215058879 ERASTUS TUHAFENI MOSANA STEPHANUS
Problem 1.6
Some of the main factors which decide the choice of electric drive are steady state operation
requirements which includes natural speed torque characteristics, speed regulation, speed range,
efficiency, duty cycle, quadrants of operation, speed fluctuations if any and ratings. Transient
operation requirements which includes values of acceleration and deceleration, starting, braking and
reversing performance. Requirements related to the source which includes type of source, and its
capacity, magnitude of voltage, voltage fluctuations, power factor, harmonics and their effect on
other loads and ability to accept regenerated power. Capital and running cost, maintenance needs,
life, environment and location and reliability.
215099850 LYAPWAPO TUYAKULA SEVELINA AKAWA

Chapter 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chapter 1

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chapter 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Electric Drives (Student’s Solution)

Being sent for review, proof reading and suggestions

212001760 BRANDON LUFRENZ MATSUIB

(i) The essential parts of an electrical drive are:

(ii) Functions of power modulators are:

213013606 NDINELAO IPUMBU NANGOLO

3. DC-to-AC converters (Inverters):

4. DC-to-DC converts (Choppers):

214042510 KELVINE FESSY NAFUKA AMUKWAYA

215058879 ERASTUS TUHAFENI MOSANA STEPHANUS

215099850 LYAPWAPO TUYAKULA SEVELINA AKAWA

You might also like