Stator flux based space-vector modulation and closed loop control of the stator flux vector in overmodulation into six-step mode

This paper presents closed loop control of stator flux vector in a wide operating range that can be used in torque control. A predictive control achieves zero phase error at constant switching frequency. Space vector modulation based on stator flux error vector is used to achieve control of stator flux over the entire range including overmodulation and six-step. During dynamics the fastest possible flux vector change is employed similar to the direct torque control. Experimental results are provided for a wide speed range and effect of parameter variation is studied.     

A self-tuning closed-loop flux observer for sensorless torquecontrol of standard induction machines

This paper proposes a self-tuning closed-loop flux observer, which provides field-oriented torque control for induction machines without a tachometer. The proposed algorithm combines the best features of harmonic detection and stator voltage integration through the use of a new tuning scheme. The observer accuracy and robustness is augmented by a parameter-independent accurate-speed detector, which analyzes magnetic saliency harmonics in the stator current. The harmonic-detection scheme provides accurate rotor-speed updates during steady-state operation down to 1-Hz source frequency. This additional speed information is used to tune the rotor-resistance parameter of the observer. The tuned observer exhibits improved dynamic performance, accurate steady-state speed control and an extended range of control near zero speed. The algorithm requires no special machine modifications and can be implemented on most existing low- and medium-performance drives. The closed-loop nature of the flux observer, combined with the harmonic-detection scheme, provides flux and speed error feedback, which significantly increases the robustness of sensorless control across the entire speed range     

Stator-flux-oriented vector control of synchronous reluctance Machines with maximized efficiency

This paper presents a position-sensorless vector torque controller designed to achieve maximum efficiency over a range of power and rotational speed for a synchronous reluctance machine. A model of the synchronous reluctance machine is presented which incorporates both winding and core losses. It is then shown that a stator-flux-oriented control scheme can achieve synchronous operation of the machine without a position sensor at medium and high electrical frequencies. For a given speed and torque, power losses in the machine are shown to be a function of only the stator flux magnitude. As the power losses are a convex function of the stator flux level, the optimal flux value can be found using a one-dimensional optimization algorithm, such as the Method of Sequential Quadratic Interpolations. Optimal flux values for a synchronous reluctance machine are determined using an experimental setup that accurately determines losses in the motor/drive system. Experimental results obtained from the test setup confirm the validity of the controller and the optimization algorithm.     

DTFC-SVM motion-sensorless control of a PM-assisted reluctance synchronous machine as starter-alternator for hybrid electric vehicles

Permanent magnet-assisted reluctance synchronous machine (PM-RSM) starter alternator systems are credited with good performance for wide speed range in hybrid electric vehicles. This paper proposes a motion-sensorless motor/generator control of PM-RSM from zero speed up to maximum speed, using direct torque and flux control with space vector modulation. A quasioptimal stator flux reference with a flux versus torque functional is proposed. A stator flux observer in wide speed range uses combined voltage-current models for low speeds, and only the voltage model for medium to high speeds, both in proportional-integral closed loop. A novel rotor speed and position observer with a fusion strategy employs signal injection and only one D-module vector filter in stator reference for low speed, combined with a speed observer from the stator flux vector estimation-for medium-high speed. The proposed system is introduced piece by piece and then implemented on a dSpace 1103 control board with a 350-A metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor-pulse-width modulation converter connected to a 42-Vdc, 55-Ah battery, and a 140-Nm peak torque PM-RSM. Extensive experimental results from very low speed to high speed, regarding observers and drive responses, including artificial loading (motoring and generating), seem very encouraging for future starter-alternator systems.     

Steady-state and transient performance evaluation of a DTC schemein the low speed range

In this paper, a direct flux and torque control scheme for industrial application is analyzed in order to emphasis the drive performance at standstill and in the low speed range. The control strategy utilizes the torque and rotor flux commands to determine the reference value of the stator flux. In order to improve the low speed performance a closed loop estimator is employed to evaluate the rotor flux. The validity of the control scheme is verified by simulations and experimental tests of an induction motor drive system     

Speed-sensorless sliding-mode torque control of an induction motor

Novel induction motor control optimizing both torque response and efficiency is proposed in the paper. The main contribution of the paper is a new structure of rotor flux observer aimed at the speed-sensorless operation of an induction machine servo drive at both low and high speed, where rapid speed changes can occur. The control differs from the conventional field-oriented control. Stator and rotor flux in stator fixed coordinates are controlled instead of the stator current components in rotor field coordinates i_sd and i_sq. In principle, the proposed method is based on driving the stator flux toward the reference stator flux vector defined by the input command, which are the reference torque and the reference rotor flux. The magnitude and orientation angle of the rotor flux of the induction motor are determined by the output of the closed-loop rotor flux observer based on sliding-mode control and Lyapunov theory. Simulations and experimental tests are provided to evaluate the consistency and performance of the proposed control technique     

Modular Three-Phase Permanent-Magnet Brushless Machines for In-Wheel Applications

This paper describes the merits of a recently developed form of a three-phase permanent-magnet (PM) brushless ac machine in which the concentrated coils of each stator phase are wound either on adjacent teeth or on alternate teeth. Such a machine is often referred to as modular and offers a number of significant advantages over conventional PM brushless machines. For example, it results in a smaller number of slots for a given number of poles, which is a distinct manufacturing advantage, and yields a fractional number of slots per pole, which is conducive to low cogging torque. It also enables a significant increase in the achievable machine inductance to facilitate constant power operation over a wide speed range by flux weakening. However, the torque in modular machines is developed by the interaction of a high-order stator space harmonic MMF with the PMs, since the fundamental stator MMF has fewer poles than the PM rotor. Hence, significant eddy currents may be induced in the rotor by the fundamental and low-order space harmonic MMFs. The eddy-current loss can, however, be reduced by segmenting the magnets. Given that modular machines combine the high specific power and efficiency of conventional PM brushless machines with a high machine inductance, to enable a wide speed range, constant power operation, their potential for low manufacturing cost, and the fact that they have inherently low cogging torque, they are eminently suitable for in-wheel traction applications.      

Parameter sensitivity of indirect universal field-orientedcontrollers

The universal field-oriented (UFO) controller was developed to decouple flux and torque in an arbitrary synchronous flux reference frame, realizing a high degree of generality, which makes the UFO controller compatible with all existing field-oriented controllers, including indirect and direct field orientation. This compatibility is useful to realize drives over a wide speed range using both direct UFO (DUFO) control and indirect UFO (IUFO). In this paper, generalized steady-state torque and flux expressions are derived analytically for detuned operation of the IUFO controller in an arbitrary reference frame. For a given machine (determined by its leakage factor), the expressions can be graphically represented (using only three parameters) as a function of the input command ratios. With these graphs, the steady-state performance of all indirect field-oriented controllers (controlling rotor flux, airgap flux, or stator flux) can be readily evaluated     

A new method of rotor resistance estimation for vector-controlledinduction machines

The estimation of rotor time constant, or rotor resistance, in a vector-controlled induction machine is necessary to achieve high-performance torque control. A new method of estimating the rotor resistance online, for use in a vector-controlled induction machine, is presented. It uses short duration pulses added to the constant flux reference current i_dse* and based on the resultant torque command current produced by a proportional-integral controller i_qse * adjusts the rotor resistance estimate. This method of self-tuning the vector controller to the rotor time constant, when operating in a closed-loop speed control loop, does not produce torque pulsations when correctly tuned. In comparison to other online methods such as the extended Kalman filter and the extended Luenberger observer, this method does not require voltage sensors and is computationally simpler. The rotor resistance estimation technique is illustrated through simulation and practical implementation of a vector-controlled induction machine     

Sensorless torque control of SyncRel motor drives

This paper describes a direct self-control (DSC) scheme for synchronous reluctance motor drives. The presented DSC scheme develops a new torque control methodology that does not require any position transducer to synchronize the stator current vector with the rotor. Such a control strategy differs from the conventional DSC approach in order to fit some specific requirements of synchronous reluctance (SyncRel) machines. First, torque and rotor position are controlled instead of torque and stator flux as in a conventional DSC scheme. Second, the operating sector is selected according to the actual position of the current vector rather than the position of the stator flux. The proposed methodology allows simplifying implementation of the torque control on SyncRel drives and reducing the global cost for medium-performance electric drives. Simulations and experimental tests on a 1.5-kW motor drive are provided to evaluate the consistency and the performance of the proposed control technique     

Identification and compensation of torque ripple in high-precisionpermanent magnet motor drives

Permanent magnet synchronous machines generate parasitic torque pulsations owing to distortion of the stator flux linkage distribution, variable magnetic reluctance at the stator slots, and secondary phenomena. The consequences are speed oscillations which, although small in magnitude, deteriorate the performance of the drive in demanding applications. The parasitic effects are analyzed and modeled using the complex state-variable approach. A fast current control system is employed to produce high-frequency electromagnetic torque components for compensation. A self-commissioning scheme is described which identifies the machine parameters, particularly the torque ripple functions which depend on the angular position of the rotor. Variations of permanent magnet flux density with temperature are compensated by on-line adaptation. The algorithms for adaptation and control are implemented in a standard microcontroller system without additional hardware. The effectiveness of the adaptive torque ripple compensation is demonstrated by experiments     

A novel technique for estimation and control of stator flux of a salient-pole PMSM in DTC method based on MTPF

A permanent-magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) can be controlled using the direct torque control (DTC) technique in three different ways, i.e., by controlling flux, reactive torque and rotor d-axis current. Frequently, the DTC technique controls the speed of the motor by controlling stator flux with the aim of obtaining an optimal torque. A varying flux, proportional to the torque, may be used instead of a fixed flux, resulting in a maximum torque per ampere or maximum torque per flux (MTPF). In this paper, a reference-flux-generating method is followed to achieve the MTPF. An approximate equation is then derived using numerical techniques in order to obtain the reference flux from the torque. This equation is then applied to the DTC control system in order to obtain the reference flux. The control scheme has been verified by simulation and tests on a salient-pole permanent-magnet synchronous motor.     

Dual Direct Torque Control of Doubly Fed Induction Machine

The main idea developed in this paper is a novel biconverter structure to supply a doubly fed induction machine (DFIM). Two voltage source inverters (VSIs) feed the stator and rotor windings. The outputs of the two VSIs are combined electromechanically in the machine, and as a result, novel features can be obtained. For example, for high power drive applications, this configuration uses two inverters dimensioned for a half of the DFIM power. A new dual direct torque control is developed with flux model of DFIM. Two switching tables linked to VSI are defined for stator and rotor flux vector control. The satisfactory experimental and simulation results are shown, and they confirm good dynamic behavior in four quadrants of the speed-torque plane. Moreover, experimental results show the correct flux vector control behavior and speed tracking performances.     

Sensorless double-inverter-fed wound-rotor induction-Machine drive

The basic operation of a wound-rotor induction-motor drive fed by inverters on the stator as well as the rotor side is discussed. Different modes of operations are defined and explained based on power flow on both the sides of the machine. The sensorless motor control scheme consists of V/f-type direct frequency control on one side, with either vector control or direct torque and flux control on the other side. The machine operates up to twice the rated speed in either direction, with full flux and torque, thereby producing up to twice the rated power. Novel frequency profiles are proposed, which ensure that the frequency on either side never drops below a minimum value (set at 12 Hz in this work). Therefore, the estimation of flux can be simply and reliably carried out by integration of voltage, resulting in simple sensorless control. The drive works reliably at all speeds including zero speed and at all loads. Results from a 50-hp prototype drive are presented.     

Control of induction motors for both high dynamic performance andhigh power efficiency

The authors attempt to control induction motors with maximum power efficiency as well as high dynamic performance by means of decoupling of motor speed (or motor torque) and rotor flux. For maximum power efficiency, the squared rotor flux is adjusted according to a minimum power search algorithm until the measured power input reaches the minimum. Since the motor speed is dynamically decoupled from the rotor flux, this can be done successfully without any degradation of motor speed responses. The controller depends on rotor resistance but not on stator resistance. However, the performance of the control scheme is robust with respect to variations in rotor resistance because an identification algorithm for rotor resistance is employed. The identification algorithm for rotor resistance has some advantages over the previous methods. To demonstrate the practical significance of the results, some experimental results are presented     

New observer-based DFO scheme for speed sensorless field-orienteddrives for low-zero-speed operation

This paper describes a new direct field orientation (DFO) scheme based on a modified flux observer using measured stator voltages and currents. The proposed approach addresses the problem of torque control of speed sensorless drives at low-zero speed, where rapid speed changes do not occur and signal frequency can approach zero. The scheme can maintain field orientation and stable torque control with simultaneous resistance and speed tuning taking place. Simulations and locked rotor experiments with torque measurements are used for verification     

Efficiency enhancement for indirect vector-controlled induction motor drive

In this paper, efficiency enhancement algorithms are developed and implemented on an indirect vector-controlled three-phase induction motor (IM) drive, and its performance under different operating conditions is analysed. The controllable electrical losses in the IM are minimised through the optimal control of direct axis (d-axis) stator current, and improvement in motor efficiency is achieved by weakening the rotor flux. The optimal d-axis stator current is also estimated using particle swarm optimisation (PSO) to validate the results obtained through analytical control method. The developed algorithms are tested under various operating conditions and the dynamic performance of the IM drive is analysed. The effectiveness of analytical and PSO-based efficiency optimisation control over conventional constant flux control, especially during light load at rated speed operation, is summarised. The effectiveness of the developed algorithm is validated experimentally through development of laboratory prototype set-up. The effect of parametric variation on efficiency, stator current, torque and speed of IM drive is studied through sensitivity analysis. The effect of variation in stator and rotor resistance due to change in operating temperature of the IM is also analysed and the robustness of the developed algorithm against parametric variations is demonstrated through simulation and experimental studies.     

Analysis of direct torque control in permanent magnet synchronousmotor drives

This paper describes an investigation of direct torque control (DTC) for permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drives. It is mathematically proven that the increase of electromagnetic torque in a permanent magnet motor is proportional to the increase of the angle between the stator and rotor flux linkages, and, therefore, the fast torque response can be obtained by adjusting the rotating speed of the stator flux linkage as fast as possible. It is also shown that the zero voltage vectors should not be used, and stator flux linkage should be kept moving with respect to the rotor flux linkage all the time. The implementation of DTC in the permanent magnet motor is discussed, and it is found that for DTC using available digital signal processors (DSPs), it is advantageous to have a motor with a high ratio of the rated stator flux linkage to stator voltage. The simulation results verify the proposed control and also show that the torque response under DTC is much faster than the one under current control     

A speed estimator for high performance sensorless control ofinduction motors in the field weakening region

The paper proposes a modified version of the model reference adaptive system (MRAS) based speed estimator, whose outputs of the reference and the adjustable model are rotor flux space vectors. The estimator is modified in such a way that the variation in the instantaneous level of the main flux saturation during operation in the field weakening is recognized and properly compensated at all times. The speed estimation scheme is equally applicable to both vector controlled and direct torque controlled induction machines, since it operates in the stationary reference frame and requires measurement of only stator voltages and currents. Verification of the proposed scheme is provided by simulation and by experimentation on an indirect feedforward rotor flux oriented induction machine for speed references of up to twice the base speed     

Decoupling control of induction motor drives

The decoupling control of induction machines is investigated. Three different schemes for decoupling-control methods based on stator flux, airgap flux, and rotor flux field regulation are developed. The control dynamics of each scheme are outlined and studied. Simulation results are presented to verify that these schemes provide decoupling control with excellent dynamic behavior. The transient and steady-state relationships between slip frequency and torque, under constant stator flux, airgap flux, and rotor flux operations, are simulated and compared. The sensitivity characteristics of the three methods of flux-control, machine fed by impressed currents and voltages, are also compared and studied. A prototype torque-drive system is implemented to demonstrate the decoupling control of a squirrel-cage induction machine