The Use of Digital Twins in Finite Element for the Study of Induction Motors Faults

Abstract

Induction motors play a key role in the industrial sector. Thus, the correct diagnosis and classification of faults on these machines are important, even in the initial stages of evolution. Such analysis allows for increased productivity, avoids unexpected process interruptions, and prevents damage to machines. Usually, fault diagnosis is carried out by analyzing the characteristic effects caused by the faults. Thus, it is necessary to know and understand the behavior during the operation of the faulty machine. In general, monitoring these characteristics is complex, as it is necessary to acquire signals from the same motor with and without failures for comparison purposes. Whether in an industrial environment or in laboratories, the experimental characterization of failures can become unfeasible for several reasons. Thus, computer simulation of faulty motors digital twins can be an important alternative for failure analysis, especially in large motors. From this perspective, this paper presents and discusses several limitations found in the technical literature that can be minimized with the implementation of digital twins. In addition, a 3D finite element model of an induction motor with broken rotor bars is demonstrated, and motor current signature analysis is used to verify the fault effects. Results are analyzed in the time and frequency domain. Additionally, an artificial neural network of the multilayer perceptron type is used to classify the failure of broken bars in the 3D model rotor.

Broken Bar Fault Detection and Diagnosis Techniques for Induction Motors and Drives: State of the Art

“…The DT term was used in the field of broken bar fault detection only in [74], but in a way represents a misconception of definitions in [71,72]. In [74], a 3-D finite element model was introduced to simulate a 5-hp motor.…”

“…The DT term was used in the field of broken bar fault detection only in [74], but in a way represents a misconception of definitions in [71,72]. In [74], a 3-D finite element model was introduced to simulate a 5-hp motor. The stator current obtained by the simulation was used to test artificial neural networks (ANN) accuracy to classify BBF.…”

Exploring Digital Twin-Based Fault Monitoring: Challenges and Opportunities

“…Ref. [ 51 ] presented a model-based simulation through the 3D finite element method known as the computational modeling technique, using parameters of both healthy and broken induction motors and motor current signature analysis to determine the impact of fault presence within the motors. The outcomes were evaluated in both time and frequency domains, and an artificial neural network was employed to categorize the current health of the motor model.…”

A Digital Twin Design of Induction Motor With Squirrel-Cage Rotor for Insulation Condition Prediction

“…6). The ROM model, unlike the simulation models of other software products, such as Matlab/Simulink, and SciLab, is not a compilation of systems of differential equations, but a multigigabyte storage of complete information about the magnetic, electrical, thermal, and mechanical states of an electric machine [30][31][32][33].…”