Fast functional modelling of diode-bridge rectifier using dynamic phasors

In this paper, a functional model for diode-bridge rectifiers is developed based on the dynamic phasor concept. The developed model is suitable for accelerated simulation studies of the electric power systems under normal, unbalanced and line faulty conditions. The high accuracy and efficiency of the developed model have been demonstrated by comparison against three-phase time-domain model and against the model employing synchronous space-vector representations. The experimental verification of the developed model is also reported. In addition, an error analysis shows that the error of the developed model is less than 10% at the most severe unbalanced conditions. The prime purpose of the model is for the simulation studies of more-electric aircraft power architectures at a system level; however it can be directly applied for simulation study of any other electrical power system interfacing with uncontrolled diode bridge rectifiers

Development of dynamic phasors for the modelling of aircraft electrical power systems

As the More-Electric Aircraft (MEA) has been identified as a major trend of future aircraft, the on-board Electrical Power System (EPS) will see significant increased numbers of Power Electronic Converters (PECs) and motor drive systems. In order to study the behaviour and performance of the EPS in MEA, extensive simulation studies need to be done during the system design process. This in return, gives the need to have computationally efficient and accurate models to reduce the design period. In this thesis, the Dynamic Phasor (DP) is used for modelling EPS in the MEA. The DP technique is a general averaging method and naturally a frequency-domain analysis tool. Compared with other averaging models, which is only efficient under balanced conditions, the DP model maintains efficiency under both balanced and unbalanced conditions. The DP technique has been widely used in modelling the constant, single frequency EPS. In this thesis, the DP technique is extended to modelling time-varying frequency EPS. The application of DP in modelling a multi-generator, multi-frequency system is for the first time, developed in this thesis. The developed theory allows a wider application of the DPs. The developed DP model covers key elements in MEA electrical power systems, including the synchronous generator, control, transmission lines, uncontrolled rectifiers, PWM converters and 18-pulse autotransformer rectifier units. The DP model library developed based on this thesis allows the flexibility to study various EPS’s by integrating elements from the library. A twin-generator aircraft EPS, which is based on the More Open Electrical Technology (MOET) large aircraft EPS architecture, is used to demonstrate the application of DP models. Comparing the DP model with the ABC model (models in three-phase coordinates) and the DQ0 model (models in a synchronous dq frame), the efficiency and the accuracy of the DP model are demonstrated under both balanced and unbalanced conditions

Dynamic phasor modelling of multi-generator variable frequency electrical power systems

The Dynamic Phasor (DP) concept has been widely used in modelling electrical power systems. So far, the DP concept has been restricted to modelling systems with one single electrical source at a fixed fundamental frequency; either one generator or an ideal three-phase AC source. This paper aims to extend the DP modelling methodology to a wider application area. Two major achievements have been introduced: 1. application of DPs for multi-source, multi-frequency systems; 2. modelling of systems with time-varying frequencies. These two techniques enable the use of DPs to study nearly all types of Electrical Power Systems (EPS). The developed theory is validated using a twin-generator system from the More Open Electrical Technologies (MOET) project. The accuracy and effectiveness of the developed models is confirmed by comparing the simulation results of detailed switching models and DP models under both balanced and unbalanced conditions

Development of dynamic phasors for the modelling of aircraft electrical power systems

As the More-Electric Aircraft (MEA) has been identified as a major trend of future aircraft, the on-board Electrical Power System (EPS) will see significant increased numbers of Power Electronic Converters (PECs) and motor drive systems. In order to study the behaviour and performance of the EPS in MEA, extensive simulation studies need to be done during the system design process. This in return, gives the need to have computationally efficient and accurate models to reduce the design period. In this thesis, the Dynamic Phasor (DP) is used for modelling EPS in the MEA. The DP technique is a general averaging method and naturally a frequency-domain analysis tool. Compared with other averaging models, which is only efficient under balanced conditions, the DP model maintains efficiency under both balanced and unbalanced conditions. The DP technique has been widely used in modelling the constant, single frequency EPS. In this thesis, the DP technique is extended to modelling time-varying frequency EPS. The application of DP in modelling a multi-generator, multi-frequency system is for the first time, developed in this thesis. The developed theory allows a wider application of the DPs. The developed DP model covers key elements in MEA electrical power systems, including the synchronous generator, control, transmission lines, uncontrolled rectifiers, PWM converters and 18-pulse autotransformer rectifier units. The DP model library developed based on this thesis allows the flexibility to study various EPS’s by integrating elements from the library. A twin-generator aircraft EPS, which is based on the More Open Electrical Technology (MOET) large aircraft EPS architecture, is used to demonstrate the application of DP models. Comparing the DP model with the ABC model (models in three-phase coordinates) and the DQ0 model (models in a synchronous dq frame), the efficiency and the accuracy of the DP model are demonstrated under both balanced and unbalanced conditions

Constrained Predictive Control of Three-PhaseBuck Rectifiers

In this paper, constrained optimal control of a current source rectifier (CSR) is presented, based on a mathematical model developed in Park’s frame. To comply with the system constraints an explicit model-based predictive controller was established. To simplify the control design, and avoid linearization, a disjointed model was utilised due to the significant time constant differences between the AC and DC side dynamics. As a result, active damping was used on the AC side, and explicit Model Predictive Control (MPC) on the DC side, avoiding non-linear dynamics. The results are compared by simulation with the performance of a state feedback control

Functional modelling of symmetrical multi-pulse auto- transformer rectifier units for aerospace applications

This paper aims to develop a functional model of symmetrical multi-pulse Auto-Transformer Rectifier Units (ATRUs) for More-Electric Aircraft (MEA) applications. The ATRU is seen as the most reliable way readily to be applied in the MEA. Interestingly, there is no model of ATRUs suitable for unbalanced or faulty conditions at the moment. This paper is aimed to fill this gap and develop functional models suitable for both balanced and unbalanced conditions. Using the fact that the DC voltage and current are strongly related to the voltage and current vectors at the AC terminals of ATRUs, a functional model has been developed for the asymmetric ATRUs. The developed functional models are validated through simulation and experiment. The efficiency of the developed model is also demonstrated by comparing with corresponding detailed switching models. The developed functional model shows significant improvement of simulation efficiency, especially under balanced conditions

A simple braking method for six-phase induction motor drives with unidirectional power flow in the base-speed region

Induction motor drives supplied from diode front-end rectifiers are commonly used in industrial applications due to their low cost and reliability. However, the two-quadrant operation of such a topology makes the regenerative braking impossible. Braking resistors can be used to dissipate the braking power and provide enhanced braking capability, but additional hardware is then necessary. Alternatively, the braking power can be dissipated within the inverter/motor by control software reconfiguration. In this scenario, the additional degrees of freedom of multiphase drives can be used to increase the system losses without disturbing the flux and torque production. Experimental results confirm the possibility to enhance the braking capability of six-phase drives with only few changes in the control scheme

A Simple Braking Method for Six-phase Induction Motor Drives with Unidirectional Power Flow in the Base-speed Region

Induction motor drives supplied from diode front-end rectifiers are commonly used in industrial applications due to their low cost and reliability. However, the two-quadrant operation of such a topology makes the regenerative braking impossible. Braking resistors can be used to dissipate the braking power and provide enhanced braking capability, but additional hardware is then necessary. Alternatively, the braking power can be dissipated within the inverter/motor by control software reconfiguration. In this scenario, the additional degrees of freedom of multiphase drives can be used to increase the system losses without disturbing the flux and torque production. Experimental results confirm the possibility to enhance the braking capability of six-phase drives with only few changes in the control scheme

Generic functional modelling of multi-pulse auto-transformer rectifier units for more-electric aircraft applications

The Auto-Transformer Rectifier Unit (ATRU) is one preferred solution for high-power AC/DC power conversion in aircraft. This is mainly due to its simple structure, high reliability and reduced kVA ratings. Indeed, the ATRU has become a preferred AC/DC solution to supply power to the electric environment control system on-board future aircraft. In this paper, a general modelling method for ATRUs is introduced. The developed model is based on the fact that the DC voltage and current are strongly related to the voltage and current vectors at the AC terminals of ATRUs. In this paper, we carry on our research in modelling symmetric 18-pulse ATRUs and develop a generic modelling technique. The developed generic model can study not only symmetric but also asymmetric ATRUs. An 18-pulse asymmetric ATRU is used to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the developed model by comparing with corresponding detailed switching SABER models provided by our industrial partner. The functional models also allow accelerated and accurate simulations and thus enable whole-scale more-electric aircraft electrical power system studies in the future

Enhanced Phase-Shifted Current Control for Harmonic Cancellation in Three-Phase Multiple Adjustable Speed Drive Systems

A phase-shifted current control can be employed to mitigate certain harmonics induced by the diode rectifiers and silicon-controlled rectifiers as the front ends of multiple parallel adjustable speed drive (ASD) systems. However, the effectiveness of the phase-shifted control relies on the loading condition of each drive unit as well as the number of drives in parallel. In order to enhance the harmonic cancellation by means of the phase-shifted current control, the currents drawn by the rectifiers should be maintained almost at the same level. Thus, this paper first analyzes the impact of unequal loading among the parallel drives, and a scheme to enhance the performance is introduced to improve the quality of the total grid current, where partial loading operation should be enabled. Simulation and experimental case studies on multidrive systems have demonstrated that the enhanced phase-shifted current control is a cost-effective solution to multiple ASD systems in terms of harmonic cancellation