Analysis of multi-phase permanent-magnet synchronous machines

Large AC machines are sometimes fed by multiple inverters. This paper presents the complete steady-state analysis of the PM synchronous machine with multiplex windings, suitable for driving by multiple independent inverters. Machines with 4, 6 and 9 phases are covered in detail. Particular attention is given to the magnetic interactions not only between individual phases, but between channels or groups of phases. This is of interest not only for determining performance and designing control systems, but also for analysing fault tolerance. It is shown how to calculate the necessary self- and mutual inductances and how to reduce them to a compact dq-axis model without loss of detail.