Multiphase induction motor drives - a technology status review

The area of multiphase variable-speed motor drives in general and multiphase induction motor drives in particular has experienced a substantial growth since the beginning of this century. Research has been conducted worldwide and numerous interesting developments have been reported in the literature. An attempt is made to provide a detailed overview of the current state-of-the-art in this area. The elaborated aspects include advantages of multiphase induction machines, modelling of multiphase induction machines, basic vector control and direct torque control schemes and PWM control of multiphase voltage source inverters. The authors also provide a detailed survey of the control strategies for five-phase and asymmetrical six-phase induction motor drives, as well as an overview of the approaches to the design of fault tolerant strategies for post-fault drive operation, and a discussion of multiphase multi-motor drives with single inverter supply. Experimental results, collected from various multiphase induction motor drive laboratory rigs, are also included to facilitate the understanding of the drive operatio

Direct torque control for dual three-phase induction motor drives

A direct torque control (DTC) strategy for dual three-phase induction motor drives is discussed in this paper. The induction machine has two sets of stator three-phase windings spatially shifted by 30 electrical degrees. The DTC strategy is based on a predictive algorithm and is implemented in a synchronous reference frame aligned with the machine stator flux vector. The advantages of the discussed control strategy are constant inverter switching frequency, good transient and steady-state performance, and low distortion of machine currents with respect to direct self-control (DSC) and other DTC schemes with variable switching frequency. Experimental results are presented for a 10-kW DTC dual three-phase induction motor drive prototype

Control Strategies for Open-End Winding Drives Operating in the Flux-Weakening Region

This paper presents and compares control strategies for three-phase open-end winding drives operating in the flux-weakening region. A six-leg inverter with a single dc-link is associated with the machine in order to use a single energy source. With this topology, the zero-sequence circuit has to be considered since the zero-sequence current can circulate in the windings. Therefore, conventional over-modulation strategies are not appropriate when the machine enters in the flux-weakening region. A few solutions dealing with the zero-sequence circuit have been proposed in literature. They use a modified space vector modulation or a conventional modulation with additional voltage limitations. The paper describes the aforementioned strategies and then a new strategy is proposed. This new strategy takes into account the magnitudes and phase angles of the voltage harmonic components. This yields better voltage utilization in the dq frame. Furthermore, inverter saturation is avoided in the zero-sequence frame and therefore zero-sequence current control is maintained. Three methods are implemented on a test bed composed of a three-phase permanent-magnet synchronous machine, a six-leg inverter and a hybrid DSP/FPGA controller. Experimental results are presented and compared for all strategies. A performance analysis is conducted as regards the region of operation and the machine parameters.Projet SOFRACI/FU

Vectorial formalism for analysis and design of polyphase synchronous machines

A vectorial formalism for analysis and design of polyphase synchronous machines without reluctance and saturation effects is described. We prove the equivalence of such a machine with a set of magnetically independent machines, which are electrically and mechanically coupled. Specific problems of polyphase machines can thus be favorably analyzed with this concept. Rules of conception and constraints on electric supply can be deduced. Moreover the vectorial approach, which generalizes the complex phasor method, can also be used to control n-leg Voltage Source Inverters. This methodology is applied to 3-phase and 6- phase synchronous machines

A Novel Matrix Transformation for Decoupled Control of Modular Multiphase PMSM Drives

When multiphase drives are used for specific applications, the modular solutions are preferred as they use consolidated power electronics technologies. The literature reports two modeling approaches for multiphase machines having a modular configuration of the stator winding. The first approach is the vector space decomposition (VSD) that models the energy conversion as for an equivalent three-phase machine. The main alternative to the VSD is the multistator (MS) modeling that emphasizes machine modularity in terms of torque production. Both approaches have advantages and disadvantages for multiphase machines with a modular structure. Therefore, this article aims to combine the VSD and MS approaches, defining a new matrix transformation and, hence, developing a new modeling approach for multiphase machines with a modular structure. The proposed transformation allows a decoupled and independent torque control of the sets composing the machine, preserving the torque regulation's modularity. Together with a new vector control scheme, it has been applied to a modular permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) with a nonstandard spatial shift between windings. Experimental results are presented for a nine-phase PMSM prototype with a triple-three-phase stator winding configuration

Impact of PWM strategies on RMS current of the DC-link Voltage Capacitor of a dual-three phase drive

The major drawback of usual dual three-phase AC machines, when supplied by a Voltage Source Inverter (VSI), is the occurrence of extra harmonic currents which circulate in the stator windings causing additional losses and constraints on the power component. This paper compares dedicated Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) strategies used for controlling a dual three phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous machine supplied by a six-leg VSI. Since the application is intended for low-voltage (48V) mild-hybrid automotive traction, an additional major constraint arises: the compactness of the drive related to the size of the DC-bus capacitor. Thus, the PWM strategy must be chosen by taking into consideration its impact on both, the motor and the RMS value of DC-bus current

Fault-Tolerant Torque Controller Based on Adaptive Decoupled Multi-Stator Modeling for Multi-Three-Phase Induction Motor Drives

Among the multiphase solutions, multi-three- phase drives are becoming more and more widespread in practice as they can be modularly supplied by conventional three-phase inverters. The literature reports several control approaches to perform the torque regulation of multi-three- phase machines. Most of such solutions use the vector space decomposition (VSD) approach since it allows the control of a multi-three-phase machine using the conventional control schemes of three-phase drives, thus reducing the complexity of the control algorithm. However, this advantage is practically lost in the case of open-three-phase faults. Indeed, the post-fault operation of the VSD-based drive schemes requires the implementation of additional control modules, often specifically designed for the machine under consideration. Therefore, this paper aims to propose a novel control approach that allows using any control scheme developed for three-phase motors to perform the torque regulation of a multi-three-phase machine both in healthy and faulty operation. In this way, the previously mentioned drawbacks of the VSD-based control schemes in dealing with the faulty operation of the machine are avoided. Moreover, the simplicity of the control algorithm is always preserved, regardless of the machine's operating condition. The proposed solution has been experimentally validated through a 12-phase induction motor, rated 10 kW at 6000 r/min, using a quadruple-three-phase configuration of the stator windin

Extension of Finite-Control Set Model-Based Predictive Control Techniques to Fault-Tolerant Multiphase Drives: Analysis and Contributions

Las máquinas eléctricas son una de las principales tecnologías que hacen posible las energías renovables y los vehículos eléctricos. La necesidad constante de incrementar la capacidad de potencia para generar más energía o para impulsar vehículos cada vez más grandes, ha motivado la investigación y el desarrollo en el área de las máquinas multifásicas las cuales, gracias a su número de fases, permiten no sólo manejar más potencia con menos pulsaciones de par y contenido armónico en la corriente que las máquinas trifásicas convencionales, sino que también permiten obtener una mayor tolerancia a fallos, aumentando el interés de su implementación en aplicaciones donde la fiabilidad juega un papel importante por razones económicas y de seguridad. La investigación más reciente en el área de sistemas multifásicos se centra en el desarrollo de técnicas que permitan explotar las características específicas y especiales de las máquinas multifásicas, viendo el incremento en el número de fases no como un aumento en la complejidad de implementación, sino como un mayor número de grados de libertad tanto en el diseño como en el control, permitiendo mejorar sus prestaciones y fiabilidad, haciéndolas más atractivas para su uso en aplicaciones industriales. Es así como se han desarrollado técnicas de control que permitan operar a alta velocidad o alto par, tolerancia a diferentes tipos de fallos y máquinas con diferentes conexionados de devanados o con sistemas formados por múltiples variadores y máquinas. El objetivo de esta tesis doctoral es la extensión del control predictivo para máquinas multifásicas (específicamente el control predictivo de estados finitos basado en modelo o FCS-MPC por sus siglas en inglés) a la operación tolerante a fallos, aprovechando la capacidad de tolerancia a fallos que las máquinas multifásicas poseen, asegurando su funcionamiento de una manera eficiente y controlada. Con este fin se estudió el modelo matemático de la máquina en condiciones de pre- y post- falta considerando diferentes tipos de faltas, permitiendo establecer el efecto que las condiciones de fallo tienen en el comportamiento del sistema. Se desarrollaron modelos de simulación de una máquina de inducción de cinco fases, considerando faltas de fase abierta y en el disparo de los IGBT’s de una fase, permitiendo el diseño y validación del controlador FCS-MPC tolerante a fallos, cuyos resultados obtenidos fueron presentados en diversos congresos internacionales. La posterior implementación y validación experimental del control tolerante a fallos propuesto dio lugar a la publicación de dos de los artículos científicos presentados en esta tesis. Del mismo modo, se desarrolló un control tolerante a fallos basado en controladores lineales (de tipo resonante), teniendo en cuenta los esquemas propuestos en publicaciones científicas recientes y se realizó una comparativa entre el control tolerante a fallos basado en FCS-MPC y el controlador resonante ante un fallo de fase abierta, mediante resultados de simulación y experimentales, dando lugar a la publicación en un congreso internacional y en un artículo de revista científica. Las contribuciones de esta tesis doctoral se han publicado en la revista científica IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics entre los años 2013/2015

Fault-Tolerant Torque Controller Based on Adaptive Decoupled Multi-Stator Modeling for Multi-Three-Phase Induction Motor Drives

Among the multiphase solutions, multi-three-phase drives are becoming more and more widespread in practice as they can be modularly supplied by conventional three-phase inverters. The literature reports several control approaches to perform the torque regulation of multi-three-phase machines. Most of such solutions use the vector space decomposition (VSD) approach since it allows the control of a multi-three-phase machine using the conventional control schemes of three-phase drives, thus reducing the complexity of the control algorithm. However, this advantage is practically lost in the case of open-three-phase faults. Indeed, the postfault operation of the VSD-based drive schemes requires the implementation of additional control modules, often specifically designed for the machine under consideration. Therefore, this article aims to propose a novel control approach that allows using any control scheme developed for three-phase motors to perform the torque regulation of a multi-three-phase machine both in healthy and faulty operation. In this way, the previously mentioned drawbacks of the VSD-based control schemes in dealing with the faulty operation of the machine are avoided. Moreover, the simplicity of the control algorithm is always preserved, regardless of the machine's operating condition. The proposed solution has been experimentally validated through a 12-phase induction motor, rated 10 kW at 6000 r/min, using a quadruple-three-phase configuration of the stator winding

Fault-Tolerant Torque Control Based on Common and Differential Mode Modeling for Multi-Three-Phase Induction Machines

Among the multiphase solutions, multi-three-phase drives are experiencing significant industrial development since they can be configured as multiple three-phase units operating in parallel. The literature reports several control approaches to perform the torque regulation of multi-three-phase machines. Most of such solutions use the vector space decomposition (VSD) approach since it allows the control of a multi-three-phase machine using the conventional control schemes of three-phase drives, reducing the complexity of the control algorithm. However, this advantage is practically lost in the case of open-three-phase faults. Indeed, the post-fault operation of the VSD-based drive schemes requires the implementation of additional control modules, often specifically designed for the machine under consideration. Therefore, this paper aims at proposing a novel control approach that allows using any control scheme developed for three-phase motors to perform the torque regulation of a multi-three-phase machine both in healthy and faulty operation. In this way, the previously mentioned drawbacks of the VSD-based control schemes in dealing with the machine's faulty operation are avoided. Moreover, the simplicity of the control algorithm is always preserved regardless of the machine operating condition. The proposed solution has been experimentally validated through a 12-phase induction motor, rated 10 kW at 6000 r/min, which uses a quadruple-three-phase configuration of the stator winding