A passivity-based multilevel active rectifier with adaptive compensation for traction applications

The control of a single-phase multilevel H-bridge rectifier suitable for traction applications is considered. Such a converter often presents instability problems making difficult its design and uncertain its behavior. In this paper the use of a passivity-based controller is experimentally investigated. Such a controller achieves stability, unity power factor, good balancing between the two DC links, and satisfactory behavior even in the presence of load changes. A right choice of the damping parameters allows the fulfilling of system requirements in terms of DC-link voltage error and grid current distortion.     

Relationships between sperm DNA fragmentation, sperm apoptotic markers and serum levels of CB-153 and p,p'-DDE in European and Inuit populations

Persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs) are suspected to interfere with hormone activity and the normal homeostasis of spermatogenesis. We investigated the relationships between sperm DNA fragmentation, apoptotic markers identified on ejaculated spermatozoa and POP levels in the blood of 652 adult males (200 Inuits from Greenland, 166 Swedish, 134 Polish and 152 Ukrainian). Serum levels of 2, 2', 4, 4', 5, 5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153), as a proxy of the total POP burden, and of 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene (p,p'-DDE), as a proxy of the total DDT exposure were determined. Sperm DNA fragmentation was measured by using the TUNEL assay, whereas immunofluorescence methods were utilized for detecting pro-apoptotic (Fas) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl-xL) markers. Both TUNEL assay and apoptotic markers were statistically differed across the four populations. No correlation between neither sperm DNA fragmentation nor apoptotic sperm parameters and the large variations in POPs exposure was observed for the separate study groups. However, considering the European populations taken together, we showed that both %TUNEL positivity and Bcl-xL were related to CB-153 serum levels, whereas our study failed to demonstrate any relations between DDE and %TUNEL positivity and apoptotic sperm biomarkers (Fas and Bcl-xL) in any region or overall regions. These results suggest that CB-153 and related chemicals might alter sperm DNA integrity and Bcl-xL levels in European adult males, but not in the highly exposed Inuit men. Additional issues (genetic background, lifestyle habits and characterization of total xeno-hormonal activities) need to be investigated in order to fully assess the population variations observed.     

Position control of the induction motor using a passivity-basedcontroller

Most position tracking applications employ either DC or permanent-magnet motors. In this paper, an induction motor drive for position control applications is proposed. Such a drive adopts a passivity-based controller which mainly differs from the others because its formulation emphasizes system energy properties and behavior. The controller has simple equations and good robustness without using complex flux observers and the exact knowledge of the motor parameters, as well. The proposed drive has been practically implemented, achieving satisfactory results     

A novel three-phase single-stage distributed power inverter

In this paper, a novel three-phase, DC/AC converter suitable for distributed power applications is proposed. The system consists of three DC/DC boost converters with a common point and operating as a three-phase inverter with intrinsic step-up capability. The converter obtained can invert, amplify and, where possible, regenerate bidirectional power sources such as fuel-cells, small gas turbines, and photovoltaic arrays. There are two main advantages to the system: the use of only six insulated gate bipolar transistors and small passive elements, and the fact that it does not need reverse voltage blocking capability. Simulation and experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed system during both steady-state and dynamic operations.     

A fuzzy-logic-based controller for active rectifier

This paper presents a current-sensorless active rectifier specifically designed for low-cost applications. Both the control and the modulation use fuzzy logic. A simple model of the system is given in order to explain the current feedforward control using fuzzy logic and the fuzzy-logic-based modulation, then, the new algorithm is analyzed looking for high performance even using small passive elements and low switching frequency. Performance are compared with those of a closed-loop proportional-plus-integral (PI)-based rectifier with space-vector modulation (SVM). This comparison has been carried out either considering the whole systems or a combination of their components (PI control + fuzzy modulation or fuzzy feedforward control + SVM). The results show that even without current sensors, the low-frequency distortion of the line currents and the DC voltage oscillations produced by the proposed system are very limited, ensuring performance similar to those of PI-based closed loop active rectifiers.     

Torque and speed regulation of induction motors using the passivitytheory approach

This paper deals with the passivity-based control of induction motors. This nonlinear control method is considered here mainly from the experimental point of view. Two different configurations have been considered: a current-regulated pulsewidth modulation inverter with hysteresis controllers and a space-vector-modulated voltage-source inverter. Experimental results show that both schemes give precise, fast, and robust torque and speed tracking in the full speed range. The first configuration is more attractive due to its better transient response and reduced complexity