How to Derive constant of total back/counter EMF for DC motors?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the derivation of the total back EMF for DC motors, focusing on the mathematical steps involved in summing the individual EMFs from multiple coils and the parameters defining the constant K. Participants explore the underlying principles and clarify aspects of the derivation process.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Oz questions the disappearance of the Cosωt term in the derivation of the total EMF and seeks clarification on the constant K, noting different definitions found in various sources.
  • One participant suggests that sufficient windings in the motor lead to a series of peaks in output voltage rather than a flat output, hinting at the role of commutation.
  • Another participant explains that commutation causes the Cosωt term to disappear, as the brushes collect voltage near the peak of the sine wave, resulting in a unipolar output.
  • This participant also mentions that the derivation of the commutated sine wave formula was likely omitted by the author due to its complexity and suggests that the constant KΦ can be determined empirically through tests.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the derivation steps and the definition of the constant K, indicating that multiple views on these topics exist without reaching a consensus.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions about the mathematical steps in the derivation, particularly concerning the transition from the sine function to the final expression for total EMF and the empirical determination of the constant K.

Oz Alikhan
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Hi,

I have been reading around about back EMF and their derivations for simple DC motors. However for some reason, the step between obtaining the total emf of the motor from summing the individual emf of the coils is not very clear. For example:

Induced emf due to single coil: e = d∅_c/dt

Since the flux linking a coil is: ∅_c = ∅ Sinωt

Therefore the induced emf is: e = ω∅ Cosωt

Since there are several coils all around the rotor, each one has a different emf due to its position (i.e each one has a different flux change through it). Therefore, total emf is the sum of the individual emfs.

This means, E_b = K ∅ ω_m <<< How?

First of all, I don't understand how the Cosωt disappears to obtain the final expression. Secondly, what parameters define the constant K? In some place I read, K = 2 N/\pi, while in other places it stated K = 2 N R B L. Why is it different for each case and how is it derived in the above proof?

The above derivation is from end of page 5/start of page 6 of the following source: http://vlab.ee.nus.edu.sg/~bmchen/courses/EG1108_DCmotors.pdf.

Warm Regards,
Oz
 
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I guess the idea is to have sufficient windings so that no sooner are we past the peak of one sinusoid, then the commutator turns to deliver the upcoming peak of the next coil's sinusoid. So the output becomes a series of peaks, not perfectly flat.

I'll leave your more searching question for someone better placed.
 
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Author skipped over some clever algebra.
I think you'd sum values of a series of sine functions, one for each turn in the armature winding.

First of all, I don't understand how the Cosωt disappears to obtain the final expression.
Commutation makes it disappear.
The brushes pick off a segment of each winding's cycle near the sinewave peak, so voltage at the brushes is not sinusoidal but unipolar..

Nine minutes into this excellent old Army film is a graphical representation of that commutation.

Six minutes in shows from whence comes that velocity term.

I wouldn't attempt at this late hour to derive that formula for the commutated sine wave. I guess that's why your author skipped it.
I don't see how he could call equation 5 the result of integrating equation 4. Book editor should have called him on that shortcut, i'd say.

In my class we determined product term K\Phi empirically by no-load dynamometer tests on a machine.
 
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Hmmm, I see. Very well, that clears a lot; Thanks to both of you :smile:.

P.S. Old school videos are indeed the best :approve:
 

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