Repulsion motors are a type of single-phase AC induction motor that are designed to provide high starting torque and speed control. They achieve these characteristics through a unique design and operating principle that involves the use of brushes and commutators, similar to a DC motor.
Here's how repulsion motors achieve high starting torque and speed control:
Rotor Design: The rotor of a repulsion motor is wound like a DC armature, meaning it has a winding with multiple coils placed around its periphery. This winding is connected to a commutator, just like in a DC motor. The commutator is a segmented cylindrical structure that reverses the direction of current in the coils as the rotor rotates.
Brushes: Repulsion motors use carbon brushes that press against the commutator. These brushes make sliding electrical contact with the commutator segments. As the rotor turns, the brushes provide current to different segments of the commutator, creating a rotating magnetic field within the rotor.
Stator Winding: The stator of a repulsion motor is wound with a single-phase winding. This winding creates a rotating magnetic field in the stator, just like in a regular single-phase induction motor. However, in repulsion motors, this rotating magnetic field interacts with the rotating magnetic field produced within the rotor by the commutator and brushes.
Starting Torque: The interaction between the rotating magnetic fields in the rotor and stator creates a strong torque during starting. This is because the rotor's winding arrangement and commutator effectively make the motor behave like a series-wound DC motor during starting. The repulsion motor's design allows it to produce a much higher starting torque compared to standard single-phase induction motors.
Speed Control: Repulsion motors offer speed control through the adjustment of the brushes' position on the commutator. By changing the angle of the brushes, the effective turns ratio of the rotor winding can be altered, which affects the motor's speed-torque characteristics. Repositioning the brushes allows for better control over the rotor current and, consequently, the motor's speed.
Limitations: Repulsion motors have some limitations, including lower efficiency and increased maintenance due to the use of brushes and commutators. These components can wear over time and require periodic replacement or servicing. Additionally, the motor's performance can be affected by variations in load and supply voltage.
In summary, repulsion motors achieve high starting torque and speed control through their unique design that combines aspects of DC motors and AC induction motors. The interaction of the rotor's commutator-produced magnetic field with the stator's rotating magnetic field results in the high starting torque, while speed control is achieved by adjusting the position of the brushes on the commutator.