Alone Self-Excited Induction Generators

In recent years, some converter structures and analyzing methods for the voltage regulation of stand-alone self-excited induction generators (SEIGs) have been introduced. However, all of them are concerned with the three-phase voltage control of three-phase SEIGs or the single-phase voltage control of single-phase SEIGs for the operation of these machines under balanced load conditions. In this paper, each phase voltage is controlled separately through separated converters, which consist of a full-bridge diode rectifier and one-IGBT. For this purpose, the principle of the electronic load controllers supported by fuzzy logic is employed in the two-different proposed converter structures. While changing single phase consumer loads that are independent from each other, the output voltages of the generator are controlled independently by three-number of separated electronic load controllers (SELCs) in two different mode operations. The aim is to obtain a rated power from the SEIG via the switching of the dump loads to be the complement of consumer load variations. The transient and steady state behaviors of the whole system are investigated by simulation studies from the point of getting the design parameters, and experiments are carried out for validation of the results. The results illustrate that the proposed SELC system is capable of coping with independent consumer load variations to keep output voltage at a desired value for each phase. It is also available for unbalanced consumer load conditions. In addition, it is concluded that the proposed converter without a filter capacitor has less harmonics on the currents

Induction Motors

AC motors play a major role in modern industrial applications. Squirrel-cage induction motors (SCIMs) are probably the most frequently used when compared to other AC motors because of their low cost, ruggedness, and low maintenance. The material presented in this book is organized into four sections, covering the applications and structural properties of induction motors (IMs), fault detection and diagnostics, control strategies, and the more recently developed topology based on the multiphase (more than three phases) induction motors. This material should be of specific interest to engineers and researchers who are engaged in the modeling, design, and implementation of control algorithms applied to induction motors and, more generally, to readers broadly interested in nonlinear control, health condition monitoring, and fault diagnosis

Multilevel Converters: An Enabling Technology for High-Power Applications

| Multilevel converters are considered today as the state-of-the-art power-conversion systems for high-power and power-quality demanding applications. This paper presents a tutorial on this technology, covering the operating principle and the different power circuit topologies, modulation methods, technical issues and industry applications. Special attention is given to established technology already found in industry with more in-depth and self-contained information, while recent advances and state-of-the-art contributions are addressed with useful references. This paper serves as an introduction to the subject for the not-familiarized reader, as well as an update or reference for academics and practicing engineers working in the field of industrial and power electronics.Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología DPI2001-3089Ministerio de Eduación y Ciencia d TEC2006-0386

Converter fault diagnosis and post-fault operation of a doubly-fed induction generator for a wind turbine

Wind energy has become one of the most important alternative energy resources because of the global warming crisis. Wind turbines are often erected off-shore because of favourable wind conditions, requiring lower towers than on-shore. The doubly-fed induction generator is one of the most widely used generators with wind turbines. In such a wind turbine the power converters are less robust than the generator and other mechanical parts. If any switch failure occurs in the converters, the wind turbine may be seriously damaged and have to stop. Therefore, converter health monitoring and fault diagnosis are important to improve system reliability. Moreover, to avoid shutting down the wind turbine, converter fault diagnosis may permit a change in control strategy and/or reconfigure the power converters to permit post-fault operation. This research focuses on switch fault diagnosis and post-fault operation for the converters of the doubly-fed induction generator. The effects of an open-switch fault and a short-circuit switch fault are analysed. Several existing open-switch fault diagnosis methods are examined but are found to be unsuitable for the doubly-fed induction generator. The causes of false alarms with these methods are investigated. A proposed diagnosis method, with false alarm suppression, has the fault detection capability equivalent to the best of the existing methods, but improves system reliability. After any open-switch fault is detected, reconfiguration to a four-switch topology is activated to avoid shutting down the system. Short-circuit switch faults are also investigated. Possible methods to deal with this fault are discussed and demonstrated in simulation. Operating the doubly-fed induction generator as a squirrel cage generator with aerodynamic power control of turbine blades is suggested if this fault occurs in the machine-side converter, while constant dc voltage control is suitable for a short-circuit switch fault in the grid-side converter.Wind energy has become one of the most important alternative energy resources because of the global warming crisis. Wind turbines are often erected off-shore because of favourable wind conditions, requiring lower towers than on-shore. The doubly-fed induction generator is one of the most widely used generators with wind turbines. In such a wind turbine the power converters are less robust than the generator and other mechanical parts. If any switch failure occurs in the converters, the wind turbine may be seriously damaged and have to stop. Therefore, converter health monitoring and fault diagnosis are important to improve system reliability. Moreover, to avoid shutting down the wind turbine, converter fault diagnosis may permit a change in control strategy and/or reconfigure the power converters to permit post-fault operation. This research focuses on switch fault diagnosis and post-fault operation for the converters of the doubly-fed induction generator. The effects of an open-switch fault and a short-circuit switch fault are analysed. Several existing open-switch fault diagnosis methods are examined but are found to be unsuitable for the doubly-fed induction generator. The causes of false alarms with these methods are investigated. A proposed diagnosis method, with false alarm suppression, has the fault detection capability equivalent to the best of the existing methods, but improves system reliability. After any open-switch fault is detected, reconfiguration to a four-switch topology is activated to avoid shutting down the system. Short-circuit switch faults are also investigated. Possible methods to deal with this fault are discussed and demonstrated in simulation. Operating the doubly-fed induction generator as a squirrel cage generator with aerodynamic power control of turbine blades is suggested if this fault occurs in the machine-side converter, while constant dc voltage control is suitable for a short-circuit switch fault in the grid-side converter

Coconut dehusker machine

Generally, coconut is dehusked manually using either a machete or a spike. These methods required skill labor and tiring to use. Attempts made so far in development of dehusking tools have been only partially successful and not effective in replacing manual methods. The reasons quoted for the failure of these tools include unsatisfactory and incomplete dehusking, breakage of the coconut shell while dehusking, spoilage of useful coir, greater effort needed than manual methods, etc

A family of discontinuous PWM strategies for quasi Z-source nine-switch inverters

This paper proposes a new family of discontinuous PWM strategies to control the quasi-Z-source nine-switch inverters (qZS-NSI). The presented strategies provide buck and boost inversion capabilities, and suitable for common-frequency and different-frequency modes of operation. Accordingly, two different shoot-through (ST) approaches are introduced and compared. The first approach uses three-leg ST, while the second uses single-leg ST to reduce the number of switching commutations, therefore minimizing switching losses. Both approaches can be implemented using simple-boost (SB) and maximum boost (MB) control methods. The operating principles, performance criteria, and PWM modulator of each scheme are introduced. Compared to the conventional PWM technique for the same output voltage gains, the proposed schemes ensure continuous input current with minimum ripples, and the voltage stresses on the switching devices and capacitors could be reduced in the proposed MB control schemes. Moreover, the effective switching frequency of upper and lower switches of all schemes is fixed and could be reduced by 1/3 from the switching frequency of the conventional technique of the qZS-NSI, while only the single-leg ST schemes ensure minimum effective switching frequency of the middle switches. The proposed modulation strategies are digitally implemented and tested on the LAUNCHXL-F28379D DSP. The feasibility of the proposed modulation schemes is confirmed via simulation and experimental results, which show good agreement with the theoretical analysis. Moreover, the presented strategies can be applied to other types of Z-source NSIs.Scopu

Eksperimentalno ponašanje prototipa matričnog pretvarača izvedenog s novim energetskim modulima

This paper describes the design and the solutions adopted for a matrix converter prototype of 10 kW, based on new integrated power modules. The performance of the converter is verified by means of experimental tests.Članak opisuje projekt i rješenja usvojena za prototip 10 kW matričnog pretvarača, izvedenog s novim integriranim energetskim modulima. Svojstva pretvarača provjerena su eksperimentalnim ispitivanjima

Grid Voltage Unbalance and The Integration of DFIG’s

Double-fed induction generators (DFIG’s) became the predominant generator installed for wind generation applications in the mid 1990’s. Issues pertaining to the operation and control of DFIG’s subsequently became apparent, particularly in weak areas of the grid network. Ironically weak areas of the grid tend to be where the average wind speed is high and the usual location of wind farms. One of the issues that emerged was the quality of the voltage in the network at the point of common coupling (PCC) with the DFIG’s. An important issue is the question of voltage unbalance at the PCC. As part of this work, research was undertaken into the issue of voltage unbalance in a distribution network. Investigative studies were undertaken on a small wind farm connected to the Irish distribution network. The results obtained were then analysed and conclusions drawn, with recording of daily, weekly and seasonal variation of voltage unbalance. The behaviour of DFIG’s to varying levels of network voltage unbalance at the wind farm was analysed, and it was observed that the DFIG’s had difficulty remaining connected to the distribution network when voltage unbalance exceeded certain threshold levels. The behaviour of DFIG’s to the effects of grid network voltage unbalance is further investigated in this work. A literature review was undertaken of the effects that utility network voltage unbalance has on DFIG’s. Emerging from this research, the suitability of appropriate control schemes to alleviate the problems caused by grid voltage unbalance were investigated. Control techniques to improve performance of a DFIG during conditions of asymmetrical grid voltage including measures to control the rotorside and grid-side converters in a DFIG, were designed and then implemented in Matlab/Simulink and results showed improved behaviour. A synchronous generator system was similarly investigated and improvements shown. This research also includes development of a laboratory based DFIG test system. A DSP based digital microcontroller and interfacing hardware has been developed for a 5kVA DFIG laboratory based system. The system comprises of a machine set; a dc machine with common shaft coupling to a three-phase wound rotor induction machine. The dc machine emulates a wind turbine, and drives the induction machine in response to required speed. A converter has been constructed to control the rotor power of the induction machine. Interfacing schemes for the required feedback signals including voltage and current transducers and speed measurement were designed to enable control of both the rotor-side and grid-side converters of the DFIG. Grid/stator voltage oriented control is implemented to control both the rotor side and grid side converters respectively. An additional feature is the implementation of a single DSP controller, configured to control both the rotor side and grid side converters simultaneously. Initially the DFIG test rig was tested as a standalone system, with a load bank connected to the stator terminals of the induction machine. Testing of the DFIG was also conducted with the test rig connected directly to the grid, and the system operated in subsynchronous and super-synchronous modes of operation. Hardware and software solutions were implemented to reasonable success. The laboratory based test rig has been designed for operation as a rotor converter for a DFIG; however the converter can also be configured to operate as a system for a synchronous generator, or for operation as a machine drive. Further research may allow the rig to be used as a DFIG/UPQC (unified power quality controller) test bed