Sensored and sensorless speed control methods for brushless doubly fed reluctance motors

The study considers aspects of scalar V/f control, vector control and direct torque (and flux) control (DTC) of the brushless doubly fed reluctance machine (BDFRM) as a promising cost-effective alternative to the existing technological solutions for applications with restricted variable speed capability such as large pumps and wind turbine generators. Apart from providing a comprehensive literature review and analysis of these control methods, the development and results of experimental verification, of an angular velocity observerbased DTC scheme for sensorless speed control of the BDFRM which, unlike most of the other DTC-concept applications, can perform well down to zero supply frequency of the inverter-fed winding, have also been presented in the study

Influence of pole-pair combinations on the characteristics of the brushless doubly fed induction generator

The brushless doubly fed induction generator (BDFIG) is an alternative to the doubly fed induction generator (DFIG), widely used in wind turbines which avoids the need for brush gear and slip rings. The choice of pole numbers for the two stator windings present in the BDFIG sets the operating speed, typically in the medium speed range to eliminate a gearbox stage. This paper focuses on how both the total number of poles and the assignment of poles between the windings affect machine performance. Analytical expressions have been developed for parameters including pull-out torque, magnetizing current and back-iron depth. The results show that the pole count can be increased without unduly compromising pull-out torque and that in cases where more than one combination of pole number is acceptable only the back iron depth is significantly affected. In addition an output factor has been introduced to enable a direct comparison to be made with conventional DFIGs. The torque density of a brushless DFIG is compromised to a degree relative to a comparable DFIG as a consequence of the presence of two magnetic fields and finite element analysis is needed to achieve an optimized design. Finally, predictions of the performance of multi-MW machines are made based on data from an existing 250 kW machine which show that suitable efficiencies can be obtained and excessive control winding excitation can be avoided

A comprehensive review on brushless doubly-fed reluctance machine

© 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. The Brushless Doubly-Fed Reluctance Machine (BDFRM) has been widely investigated in numerous research studies since it is brushless and cageless and there is no winding on the rotor of this emerging machine. This feature leads to several advantages for this machine in comparison with its induction counterpart, i.e., Brushless Doubly-Fed Induction Machine (BDFIM). Less maintenance, less power losses, and also more reliability are the major advantages of BDFRM compared to BDFIM. The design complexity of its reluctance rotor, as well as flux patterns for indirect connection between the two windings mounted on the stator including power winding and control winding, have restricted the development of this machine technology. In the literature, there is not a comprehensive review of the research studies related to BDFRM. In this paper, the previous research studies are reviewed from different points of view, such as operation, design, control, transient model, dynamic model, power factor, Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), and losses. It is revealed that the BDFRM is still evolving since the theoretical results have shown that this machine operates efficiently if it is well-designed

Emerging Multiport Electrical Machines and Systems: Past Developments, Current Challenges, and Future Prospects

Distinct from the conventional machines with only one electrical and one mechanical port, electrical machines featuring multiple electrical/mechanical ports (the so-called multiport electrical machines) provide a compact, flexible, and highly efficient manner to convert and/or transfer energies among different ports. This paper attempts to make a comprehensive overview of the existing multiport topologies, from fundamental characteristics to advanced modeling, analysis, and control, with particular emphasis on the extensively investigated brushless doubly fed machines for highly reliable wind turbines and power split devices for hybrid electric vehicles. A qualitative review approach is mainly adopted, but strong efforts are also made to quantitatively highlight the electromagnetic and control performance. Research challenges are identified, and future trends are discussed

A comprehensive review on brushless doubly-fed reluctance machine

The Brushless Doubly-Fed Reluctance Machine (BDFRM) has been widely investigated in numerous research studies since it is brushless and cageless and there is no winding on the rotor of this emerging machine. This feature leads to several advantages for this machine in comparison with its induction counterpart, i.e., Brushless Doubly-Fed Induction Machine (BDFIM). Less maintenance, less power losses, and also more reliability are the major advantages of BDFRM compared to BDFIM. The design complexity of its reluctance rotor, as well as flux patterns for indirect connection between the two windings mounted on the stator including power winding and control winding, have restricted the development of this machine technology. In the literature, there is not a comprehensive review of the research studies related to BDFRM. In this paper, the previous research studies are reviewed from different points of view, such as operation, design, control, transient model, dynamic model, power factor, Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), and losses. It is revealed that the BDFRM is still evolving since the theoretical results have shown that this machine operates efficiently if it is well-designed

Numerical Analysis of Stator Magnetic Wedge Effects on Equivalent Circuit Parameters of Brushless Doubly Fed Machines

This paper studies the effects of magnetic wedges used for closing stator open slots on the Brushless Doubly Fed Machines' (BDFM) equivalent circuit parameters. The BDFM is an attractive generator solution for offshore wind power and can replace doubly-fed slip-ring induction generators. It is shown in this paper that the use of magnetic wedges, commonly used in large induction machines, reduces the stator windings magnetising currents, reflected in the values of magnetising inductances. But they also increase the leakage flux of the stator windings and hence change the series inductance in the equivalent circuit. The series inductance significantly affects the machine performance as well as the rating of its converter. 2-D Finite element analysis of a 250 kW experimental BDFM is used to investigate the effects of magnetic wedges on the machine's magnetic field distribution and how these can alter the machine's parameters values. Experimental tests have also been carried out to validate the analysis

Fractional kVA Rating PWM Converter Doubly Fed Variable Speed Electric Generator Systems:An Overview in 2020

Variable speed generator systems (VSGs) are at work in the now 600 GW installed wind power plants (parks). Also, they are used as vehicular and on ground stand-alone generators. VSGs imply full kVA rating PWM converters in permanent magnet (PM) or in electrically excited synchronous or in cage rotor inductance generators. But, to reduce cost in absence of PMs at a reasonable initial cost (weight) and efficiency, the fractional kVA PWM converter doubly fed induction generators (DFIG) cover now about 50% of all installed power in wind generators. The present paper reviews recent progress in DFIG and various forms of brushless DFGs (doubly fed generators) characterized in terms of topology, design, performance and advanced control for healthy and faulty load conditions in the hope of inspiring new, hopefully ground breakings, progress for wind and hydro energy conversion and in vehicular and on the ground stand-alone generator applications

A Comparative Study of Control Strategies for Performance Optimisation of Brushless Doubly- Fed Reluctance Machines

The brushless doubly-fed machine (BDFM) allows the use of a partially rated inverter and represents an attractive cost-effective candidate for variable speed applications with limited speed ranges. In its induction machine form (BDFIM), the BDFM has significant rotor losses and poor efficiency due to the cage rotor design which makes the machine dynamic models heavily parameter dependent and the resulting controller configuration complicated and difficult to implement. A reluctance version of the BDFM, the brushless doubly-fed reluctance machine (BDFRM), ideally has no rotor losses, and therefore offers the prospect for higher efficiency and simpler control compared to the BDFIM. A detailed study of this interesting and emerging machine is very important to gain a thorough understanding of its unusual operation, control aspects and compromises between optimal performance and the size of the inverter and the machine. This paper will attempt to address these issues specifically concentrating on developing conditions for various control properties of the machine such as maximum power factor, maximum torque per inverter ampere and minimum copper losses, as well as analysing the associated trade-offs

A new sensorless speed control scheme for doubly-fed reluctance generators

This paper presents the development and experimental validation of a novel angular velocity observer-based field-oriented control algorithm for a promising low-cost brushless doubly fed reluctance generator (BDFRG) in wind power applications. The BDFRG has been receiving increasing attention because of the use of partially rated power electronics, the high reliability of brushless design, and competitive performance to its popular slip-ring counterpart, the doubly fed induction generator. The controller viability has been demonstrated on a BDFRG laboratory test facility for emulation of variable speed and loading conditions of wind turbines or pump drives