Sensorless Control of Switched-Flux Permanent Magnet Machines

This thesis investigates the sensorless control strategies of permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs), with particular reference to switched-flux permanent magnet (SFPM) machines, based on high-frequency signal injection methods for low speed and standstill and the back-EMF based methods for medium and high speeds

EFFICIENCY AND RELIABILITY ENHANCEMENT OF MULTIPHASE SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR DRIVES

Multiphase electric machines are attractive in comparison with three-phase ones due to advantages such as fault-tolerant nature, smaller rating per phase and lower torque ripple. More specifically, the machines with multiple three-phase windings are particularly convenient, because they are suitable for standard off-the-shelf three-phase dc/ac converter modules. For instance, they are becoming a serious option for applications such as electric vehicles and wind turbines. On the other hand, in these applications, operation at low power is often required for long time intervals; hence, improving the efficiency under such conditions is highly desired and could save a significant amount of energy in the long term. This dissertation proposes a method to enhance the efficiency of electric drives based on multiple three-phase windings at light load. The number of active legs is selected depending on the required torque at each instant. To ensure that the overall efficiency is effectively optimized, not only the converter losses, but also the stator copper losses, are taken into account. Experimental results verify the theoretical outcomes. Surface-mounted permanent-magnet synchronous motors (SPMSMs) require a position measurement to ensure a high-performance control. To avoid the cost and maintenance associated to position sensors, sensorless methods are often preferred. The approaches based on high-frequency signal injection are currently a well-established solution to obtain an accurate position estimation in SPMSMs. These techniques can be roughly divided into two groups: those based on sinusoidal or on square-wave high-frequency signals. The main drawback of the former is the limitation on the response speed, due to the presence of several low-pass filters (LPFs). On the other hand, the latter methods are sensitive to deadtime effects, and high-frequency closed-loop current control is required to overcome it. This dissertation proposes to improve the sensorless strategies based on sinusoidal high-frequency injection by simplifying the scheme employed to extract the information about the position error. Namely, two LPFs and several multiplications are removed. Such simplification does not only reduce the computational complexity, but also permits to obtain a faster response to the changes in the angle/speed, and hence, a faster closed-loop control. Experimental results based on a SPMSM prove the enhanced functionality of the proposed method with respect to the previous ones based on high-frequency sinusoidal signal injection

GA-tuning of nonlinear observers for sensorless control of automotive power steering IPMSMs

The paper considers two observer-based rotor position estimation schemes for sensorless control of interior permanent magnet synchronous motors (IPMSMs) for use in future automotive power steering systems. Specifically, emphasis is given to techniques based on feedback-linearisation followed by classical Luenberger observer design, and direct design of non-linear observers. Genetic algorithms (GAs), using the principles of evolution, natural selection and genetic mutation, are introduced to address difficulties in selecting correction gains for the observers, since no analytical tuning mechanisms yet exist. Experimental measurements from an automotive power steering test-facility are included, to demonstrate the enhanced performance attributes offered by tuning the proposed observer schemes, online, in this manner

Hybrid sensorless permanent magnet synchronous machine four quadrant drive based on direct matrix converter

Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines (PMSMs) have several advantages, such as high ef¿ciency and low volume and weight, which make them attractive for aerospace applications and high performance servo drives. Matrix Converters (MCs) are an all-silicon alternative, with no bulky reactive elements, to the standard voltage source inverter. The most common control technique for such PMSM MC-fed drives is the so-called Field-Oriented Control (FOC), which requires the permanent magnet ¿ux position to achieve high dynamic performance. Encoders or resolvers are the most common sensing devices used for such a purpose, which not only increases the total cost of the PMSM drive but also adds extra electronics and cabling that may cause failures. This paper investigates and proposes an all range (from zero to full) speed hybrid sensorless FOC. The novelty of this paper relies on the use of a hybrid sensorless four quadrant FOC that averages the needed angle estimation from a model based angle estimator and a voltage pulse test injection angle estimator when feeding the PMSM with an MC instead of a standard voltage source inverter. Speed reversal and load impact simulation results are included, fully supporting the claims made in this paperPeer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Hybrid sensorless control of axial flux permanent magnet motor drives, including zero speed

Sensorless control of an axial flux permanent magnet motor drive is proposed and tested. The motor is not purposely designed for sensorless control and shows a very small inherent saliency. This significantly affects the saliency-based position estimation in the low speed region. Other non-idealities, such as the non-sinusoidal back-EMF waveforms and possible misalignment between stator and rotor make the control more challenging. A robust sensorless control scheme is proposed, able to deal with these non-idealities with a rather simple implementation. The position estimation is based on a closed loop hybrid observer of the permanent magnet flux linkage. Experimental results report torque and speed sensorless control

Sensorless Direct Flux Vector Control of Synchronous Reluctance Motors Including Standstill, MTPA and Flux Weakening

This paper proposes a sensorless direct flux vector control scheme for synchronous reluctance motor drives. Torque is controlled at constant switching frequency, via the closed loop regulation of the stator flux linkage vector and of the current component in quadrature with it, using the stator flux oriented reference frame. A hybrid flux and position observer combines back-electromotive force integration with pulsating voltage injection around zero speed. Around zero speed, the position observer takes advantage of injected pulsating voltage. Instead of the commonly used current demodulation, the position error feedback is extracted here at the output of the observer’s flux maps, thus resulting in immunity towards the cross-saturation position error. The Maximum Torque per Ampere (MTPA) strategy is used. A detailed analysis puts in evidence the key advantages and disadvantages related to the use of the MTPA in the sensorless control of the Synchronous Reluctance machine, for both the saliency based and the back-EMF based sensorless methods. Extensive experimental results are reported for a 2.2 kW synchronous reluctance motor prototype, showing the feasibility of the proposed method. These include speed response to step and sinusoidal load disturbances at standstill, up to 121% of rated torque, and speed response tests covering the flux weakening speed region

Analytical Design Concept for Synchronous Reluctance Machines

The aim of the thesis is to derive an analytical design concept based on mathematical and physical model of synchronous reluctance machines working principles. The design concept general validity allows to adopt it for any application specifications and requirements. Magnetic, electrical and mechanical aspects are investigated to maximize the motor performances in high torque density and efficiency terms.ope

A review of saliency-based sensorless control methods for alternating current machines

Operation of model-based sensorless control of Alternating Current machines at low and zero speeds is unreliable and can fail. To overcome the limitations of sensorless control at low speeds, several alternative techniques have been developed to estimate speed and position. These are mainly based on detecting machine saliencies by measuring the response of the current to some form of voltage injection. This paper discusses injection methods, machine saliencies, and techniques used to extract speed and position that are applicable to both induction machines and permanent magnet synchronous motors.peer-reviewe

Self-commissioning of interior permanent- magnet synchronous motor drives with high-frequency current injection

In this paper, a simple and robust method for parameter estimation at rotor standstill is presented for interior permanent magnet (IPM) synchronous machines. The estimated parameters are the stator resistance through dc test, the dq inductances using high-frequency injection, and the permanent magnet flux by means of a closed-loop speed control maintaining rotor stationary. The proposed method does not require either locking the rotor or additional/special power supplies. The validity of the suggested method has been verified by implementation on two IPM motor prototypes. Finally, the estimated parameters have been compared against results obtained through finite-element simulations and with machine magnetic characterization, separately performed, to validate the method's effectiveness. Saturation and cross-saturation effects are taken care of through amplitude modulation and cross-axis current application, respectively