Improved method for the scalar control of induction motor drives

Many control schemes have been proposed for induction motors, which are in themselves highly complex non-linear and sometimes internally unstable systems.One of themost accurate control schemes is encodered rotor flux orientated vector control. The advantages and disadvantages of this control are well known and several variations, or reduced vector schemes, have been proposed. This study introduces an improved encoderless scalar, or approximated vector, control method for induction machines which can be applied to general purpose applications that do not require the most precise control. The proposed method overcomes practical difficulties and is suitable for industrial applications. The slip compensated stator flux linkage oriented scheme proposed in this study does not require flux estimation or a speed sensor, only requiring nameplate data, stator current and stator resistance measurement, which can easily be determined at start-up. Simulation and experimental investigations including field weakening operation and the effect of stator resistance variation demonstrate the improved performance of the new scheme compared to previous open loop V/Hz and stator resistive compensated schemes especially at low rotor speeds

Implementation of self-tuning control for turbine generators

PhD ThesisThis thesis documents the work that has been done towards the development of a 'practical' self-tuning controller for turbine generator plant. It has been shown by simulation studies and practical investigations using a micro-alternator system that a significant enhancement in the overall performance in terms of control and stability can be achieved by improving the primary controls of a turbine generator using self-tuning control. The self-tuning AVR is based on the Generalised Predictive Control strategy. The design of the controller has been done using standard off-the-shelf microprocessor hardware and structured software design techniques. The proposed design is thus flexible, cost-effective, and readily applicable to 'real' generating plant. Several practical issues have been tackled during the design of the self-tuning controller and techniques to improve the robustness of the measurement system, controller, and parameter estimator have been proposed and evaluated. A simple and robust measurement system for plant variables based on software techniques has been developed and its suitability for use in the self-tuning controller has been practically verified. The convergence, adaptability, and robustness aspects of the parameter estimator have been evaluated and shown to be suitable for long-term operation in 'real' self-tuning controllers. The self-tuning AVR has been extensively evaluated under normal and fault conditions of the turbine generator. It has been shown that this new controller is superior in performance when compared with a conventional lag-lead type of fixed-parameter digital AVR. The use of electrical power as a supplementary feedback signal in the new AVR is shown to further improve the dynamic stability of the system. The self-tuning AVR has been extended to a multivariable integrated self-tuning controller which combines the AVR and EHG functions. The flexibility of the new AVR to enable its expansion for more complex control applications has thus been demonstrated. Simple techniques to incorporate constraints on control inputs without upsetting the loop decoupling property of the multivariable controller have been proposed and evaluated. It is shown that a further improvement in control performance and stability can be achieved by the integrated controller.Parsons Turbine Generators Ltd

Spline based controller for nonlinear systems

The objective of this thesis is to apply spline theory to implement controllers for nonlinear systems. Two different systems, forced Duffing oscillators and power systems, are investigated. The spline method is used to mimic the controller which drives a state of the Duffing system toward a desired path. The spline-based nonlinear controller has piecewise polynomial segments with different order of polynomials on each segment. Controller efforts for different order of polynomial interpolants and power spectral densities of the controller signals are compared with the exact feedback linearizaton method.;The first objective for power systems is to design nonlinear excitation controllers for a multi-machine power system using Direct Feedback Linearization. The designed controllers, whose parameters are obtained, require the internal variables of the machines. These variables are verified by using a proposed internal variable identifying algorithm. The objective is to design nonlinear excitation controllers for power system stability enhancement. Spline techniques are used to approximate the nonlinear controllers obtained through feedback linearization by piecewise polynomials while enhancing the stability of the system

Design and development of a novel Invasive Blood Pressure simulator for patient's monitor testing

This paper presents a newly-designed and realized Invasive Blood Pressure (IBP) device for the simulation on patient’s monitors. This device shows improvements and presents extended features with respect to a first prototype presented by the authors and similar systems available in the state-of-the-art. A peculiarity of the presented device is that all implemented features can be customized from the developer and from the point of view of the end user. The realized device has been tested, and its performances in terms of accuracy and of the back-loop measurement of the output for the blood pressure regulation utilization have been described. In particular, an accuracy of ±1 mmHg at 25 °C, on a range from −30 to 300 mmHg, was evaluated under different test conditions. The designed device is an ideal tool for testing IBP modules, for zero setting, and for calibrations. The implemented extended features, like the generation of custom waveforms and the Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectivity, allow use of this device in a wide range of applications, from research to equipment maintenance in clinical environments to educational purposes. Moreover, the presented device represents an innovation, both in terms of technology and methodologies: It allows quick and efficient tests to verify the proper functioning of IBP module of patients’ monitors. With this innovative device, tests can be performed directly in the field and faster procedures can be implemented by the clinical maintenance personnel. This device is an open source project and all materials, hardware, and software are fully available for interested developers or researchers.Web of Science201art. no. 25

Analysis of Synchronous Machine Excitation Systems: Comparative Study

This paper presents the comparison and performance evaluation of synchronous machine excitation models. The two models, DC1A and AC4A, are among the IEEE standardized model structures for representing the wide variety of synchronous machine excitation systems. The performance evaluation of these models is done using SIMULINK simulation software. The simulation results obtained using transient analysis show that the DC1A excitation system is more reliable and stable than AC4A excitation system