1

Self-Excitation of Systems with Periodically Varying Inductances.

*


by
H. Winter-Gnther
Jahrbuch der drahtlosen Telegraphie und Telephonie
(Zeitschrift fr Hochfrequenztechnik)
Vol. 37, 1931, No. 2
pp. 172-174

Contents:
Introduction.
I. Theory.
II. Experiments.
III. Conclusions.
Summary.
Introduction.

Some time ago I called attention to the fact that the theory of self-excited phenomena in
oscillation circuits with iron-cored coils becomes very simple if one interprets the AC magnetized
iron-cored coil as a self-inductance varying periodically in time.
1
This manner of representation
recognizes that the cited self-excitation is not restricted to iron circuits alone, but applies to all
electrical systems whose inductances are any kind of periodic functions of time.

The experimental demonstration of this assertion has recently been made possible for me after the
SSW (Siemens-Schuckert Works) in Nrnberg kindly placed the equipment of their test facilities
at my disposal. I made these experiments together with Dr. E. Scharstein, who I heartily thank for
his valuable help.

I. Theory.

Assume an oscillation circuit that, in addition to a capacitance C and a dissipation resistance R,
contains a periodically varying inductance

t k L L
o o
2 cos + = . (1)

The differential equation for the current i in this oscillation circuit, in which no other source of
EMF is acting, then reads

( )
0
1
= + +

t d i
C
i R
t d
i L d
(2)
or

( ) ( )

= +
+ +
0
1
2 sin 2 2 cos
dt i
C
i t k R
t d
i d
t k L
o o o o

(3)

*
Translated by J.F. Corum, National Electrodynamics, August 10, 2007.
1
This journal, Vol. 34, p. 41, 1929.
2

The investigation of the iron circuit followed from these equivalent differential equations. In
close reference to a work by Lord Rayleigh,
2
in which he treated an analogous mechanical
problem, we came to the following result:

Under conditions of constant amplitude oscillations, Equation (3) possesses a solution whose
fundamental frequency is equal to the half-frequency of the variation of the self-induction:

(

+
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
= . . .
2
3 2 sin
2
2 sin
3 3 1

t c t A i
o o
(4)

where A is an arbitrary constant.

If, in Equation (1), one neglects the harmonics of the current (which is permitted if L
o
is
sufficiently great), then one obtains the following equations

|
|
.
|

\
|
= |
.
|

\
|

2
1
2 cos
2
2
1
o
o
C
k
L

(5)

1
2 sin
2 2
2

k
R
o
|
|
.
|

\
|
= (6)

as conditions for the appearance of these oscillation states.
3


Discussion.
The following is to be concluded from Equations (5) and (6):
1. There exists a frequency range,
o

o
, in which these self-excitations of our system
can appear, namly:

( )
C
k
L
o
o o
|
.
|

\
|

=
2
1

(7)

2. If R is in the region
a)
1
2 sin
2

k
R
o
> , then the oscillations do not appear since more energy will
be consumed in the resistance R during a period than can be delivered to the
system from outside.
b)
1
2 sin
2

k
R
o
< , then self-excited oscillations appear, and the amplitude of
the current grows continuously.


2
Rayleigh, Theory of Sound, Vol. 1, p. 82, London 1926.
3
For details see Rayleigh, loc cit.
3
However, in all practicality, circuit failure takes place since the coefficients in Equation (3),
primarily L
o
, k and R, are not constant, but are functions of the value of the current:

Therefore, the establishing oscillations ring up under these conditions to the same amplitudes by
which the coefficients of (5) and (6) are satisfied exactly, and then retain these constant
amplitudes. However, whether these stationary states can actually be reached depends upon the
nature of the functions Lo, k and R (see below).


II. Experiments.

Configuration.
As just about the simplest obtainable example possible for a periodically varying self-inductance,
I used a three-phase asynchronous machine from SSW (type hR96a4, 10 kW, running in a star-
connected circuit), for which two phases of the stator were connected in series with two phases of
the rotor, while the corresponding phase 3 is open circuited. (See machine I in Figure 1.)






















Figure 1. Asynchronous Machine (I) as a periodically varying Self-Inductance in
an Oscillation Circuit. [Antrieb = Drive]


In this way, analogous to a rotary controller, the apparatus had an inductance varying with rotor
position. The inductance values over a full revolution of the rotor are as diagramed in Figure (2),
which was measured by very feeble AC magnetization. The curves are practically sinusoidal
waveforms.

The machine had 2 pole-pairs. Consequently, from Figure 2, it follows that the frequency with
which the self-induction varies is equal to the synchronous frequency,
o
, of the motor, (that is, 50
Hz for 1500 revolutions per minute).
4

The rotor was driven by a DC machine, by which its speed could be continuously varied between
0 and 3000 revolutions/min.



Figure 2. Variation of the Self-Inductance of Machine I (see Fig. 1) for a Complete
Revolution of the Rotor.


Wired in series with the apparatus was a small iron-free self-inductance of 0.02 Henries, a
composition paper condenser of 80 F (combined), and seven 100 watt (each) 110 volt metal-
thread lamps inserted in parallel. (See Figure 1.)

The resistance of these composition lamps only amounted to 1.5 ohms under cold conditions, but
could increase by 10-fold with the passage of current, forming the principal current-dependent
circuit element mentioned in paragraph I. (In the case of a very small 50 cycle current, the
dissipation resistance of the rest of the circuit amounted to about 20 Ohms.) If self-excitations are
established in a certain range of rotor speed, then the lamp resistance rises simultaneously with
the amplitude of the current until the stationary conditions are reached for which Equation (6) is
valid.

No external EMF is impressed on these oscillation circuits.

Results.

The result of the experiment is reproduced in Figures 3, 4, and 5. Figure 3 is a picture of the
oscillogram of the current in the oscillating circuit, while, simultaneously, the rotation speed of
the rotor slowly increased. On the other hand, the photograph in Figure 4 took place while the
rotor speed was slowly reduced.

5
A comparison of these two oscillograms with my previously published treatment of oscillating
circuits (with iron-cored coils) shows an expected measure of similarity.

Out beyond a certain region of rotational speed - consequently frequency
o
- there is no current
in the circuit. Within this frequency region (between
o
= 77 Hz and
o
= 90 Hz) self-excitations
spontaneously appear at frequency
o
/2 (see below!), probably owing to the retentivity of the iron
parts of the induction apparatus retaining its initial impetus.




Figure 3. Self-Excitation of Oscillations at the Frequency
o
/2 in the Oscillation Circuit.
During the photograph the Rotary Speed of the Rotor slowly Increased.




Figure 4. During photograph the Rotary Speed of the Rotor slowly Decreased.


Once sustaining oscillations are enabled, as the illustrations show, they remain stable over the
limits of the region. A discussion of this entrainment phenomenon, however, would lead us too
far astray.

Figure 4 further shows that the self-oscillations do not always lead to constant amplitudes.
Indeed, at rotational speeds corresponding to from about
o
= 90 Hz to
o
= 85 Hz self-excitations
set in, the current very swiftly rose to very high values, but then fell again to zero. If one held the
rotary speed constant in this range then new current pulses again appeared in intervals of several
seconds.

The explanation for this instability is probably to be sought in the fact that the counteracting
variation of the lamp resistance considerably inhibits a change in the amplitude of the current. By
this, the amplitudes can ascend to high values. Through the gradual warming of the lamps
produced by the current, the dissipation resistance of the oscillation circuit will increase
considerably, as Equation (6) dictates for the stationary situation: the oscillations decay again,
and then, after this, excite themselves anew when the lamps are adequately cooled.

On the other hand a stable stationary state with constant amplitudes was established in the region
between
o
= 77 Hz and
o
= 85 Hz.
6
Figure 5 delivers proof of the fact that the fundamental frequency of self-excited oscillations is
equal to
o
/2, in agreement with the theory. Curve I is the oscillogram of an oscillation circuit
current within the zone of self-excitation with constant final amplitude. The current presented by
curve II posses the identical frequency as the variation of the self-inductance (
o
).


Figure 5. I Self-Excited Oscillation. II Machine Current (see Fig. 1).

As a result of the above, a second asynchronous machine, constructed in like manner as the first,
was rigidly connected (see Figure 1, machine II). Likewise, two rotor phases were connected in
series with two stator phases, and the oscillograph trace was made. The third stator phase was fed
a weak DC current so that the arrangement worked as a synchronous machine with the frequency

o
. As one can actually see, the current I waveform possesses the half-frequency of the current II
waveform.

III Conclusions.

The experiments that I have reported here should not only be contributions to the understanding
of these phenomena in circuits with iron-cored coils, but they should also, perhaps, possesses a
certain technical interest, since machines with periodically varying inductance (for example
synchronous machines with salient pole projections)
4
are quite widespread. In this connection
also belongs the self-excitation phenomenon (known for some time)
5
of asynchronous machines
with separate stator and rotor circuits (a periodically varying coupling between two circuit
currents).

Summary.
Self-excitation phenomena, which can appear in oscillation circuits with periodically varying self-
inductances, were treated theoretically and experimentally by way of a simple example.

(Submitted on 13 January, 1931.)

4
See W. Stblein, Arch. f. El., Vol. 18, 1927, p. 175.
5
See for example, E. Unger, Arch. f. El., Vol. 17, 1927, p. 590; H. Rosenhamer, Arch. f. El., Vol. 18,
1927, p. 375; J. Froidevaux and A. Linard, Rev. Gen. El., Vol. 25, 1929, p. 515.