Condition Monitoring of the Torque Imbalance in a Dual-Stator Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor for the Propulsion of a Lightweight Fixed-Wing UAV

This paper deals with the development of a model-based technique to monitor the condition of torque imbalances in a dual-stator permanent magnet synchronous motor for UAV full-electric propulsion. Due to imperfections, degradations or uncertainties, the torque split between power lines can deviate from the design, causing internal force-fighting and reduced efficiency. This study demonstrates that, by only elaborating the measurements of speed and direct/quadrature currents of the stators during motor acceleration/deceleration, online estimations of demagnetization and electrical angle misalignment can be obtained, thus permitting the evaluation of the imbalance and total torque of the system. A relevant outcome is that the technique can be used for developing both signal-based and model-based monitoring schemes. Starting from physical first-principles, a nonlinear model of the propulsion system, including demagnetization and electrical angle misalignment, is developed in order to analytically derive the relationships between monitoring inputs (currents and speed) and outputs (degradations). The model is experimentally validated using a system prototype characterized by asymmetrical demagnetization and electrical angle misalignment. Finally, the monitoring effectiveness is assessed by simulating UAV flight manoeuvres with the experimentally validated model: injecting different levels of degradations and evaluating the torque imbalance.