Impact of cross-saturation in sensorless control of transverse-laminated synchronous reluctance motors

Synchronous reluctance (SyR) motors are well suited to a zero-speed sensorless control, because of their inherently salient behavior. However, the cross-saturation effect can lead to large errors on the position estimate, which is based on the differential anisotropy. These errors are quantified in the paper, as a function of the working point. The so-calculated errors are then found in good accordance with the purposely obtained experimental measurements. The impact of the amplitude of the carrier voltage is then pointed out, leading to a mixed (carrier injection plus electromotive force estimation) control scheme. Last, a scheme of this type is used, with a commercial transverse-laminated SyR motor. The robustness against cross-saturation is shown, in practice, and the obtained drive performance is pointed out proving to be effective for a general-purpose applicatio

Cross-Saturation Effects in IPM Motors and Related Impact on Sensorless Control

Permanent-magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance motors are well suited to zero-speed sensorless control because of their inherently salient behavior. However, the cross-saturation effect can lead to large errors on the position estimate, which is based on the differential anisotropy. These errors are quantified in this paper as a function of the working point. The errors that are calculated are then found to be in good accordance with the purposely obtained experimental measurement

International Standards for the Induction Motor Efficiency Evaluation: a Critical Analysis of the Stray-Load Losses Determination

Motor efficiency has to be measured or calculated in accordance with international standards. The most important standards are the IEEE 112-B, IEC 34-2, and JEC 3 . In this paper, a comparison of the measurement procedures defined by these international standards is reported, together with some comments on the prescribed methodologies. The comparison is based on experimental results obtained by tests on four general-purpose three-phase induction motors. The stray-load loss measurement represents a critical key for the correct evaluation of the motor efficiency. For this reason, a critical analysis of this type of losses has been performed. In particular, in order to understand which are the most critical quantities that influence their evaluation, the stray-load loss sensitivity to the measurement errors is analyzed. In the final part of the paper the temperature influence, on the conventional iron losses, is experimentally analyzed. The performed tests show that the temperature difference between the no-load test and the motor real operative conditions is not negligible

Position-sensorless control of permanent-magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance motor

The sensorless control of permanent-magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance (PMASR) motors is investigated, in order to conjugate the advantages of the sensorless control with full exploitation of the allowed operating area, for a given inverter. An additional pulsating flux is injected in the d-axis direction at low and zero speed, while it is dropped out, at large speed, to save voltage and additional loss. A flux-observer-based control scheme is used, which includes an accurate knowledge of the motor magnetic behavior. This leads, in general, to good robustness against load variations, by counteracting the magnetic cross saturation effect. Moreover, it allows an easy and effective correspondence between the wanted torque and flux and the set values of the chosen control variables, that is d-axis flux and q-axis current. Experimental verification of the proposed method is given, both steady-state and dynamic performance are outlined. A prototype PMASR motor will be used to this aim, as part of a purposely assembled prototype drive, for light traction application (electric scooter

Thermal analysis of induction and synchronous reluctance motors

In this paper, the thermal behavior of two induction motors (2.2 and 4 kW, four poles) and two synchronous reluctance motors [(SynRMs) transverse-laminated] are investigated and compared. Both motor types use the same stator but have different rotors. Using a lumped-parameter simulation program, a thermal analysis has been also carried out, and the obtained results have been compared with the experimental ones. A direct comparison of the thermal behavior of the two motor types has thus been made for constant load and constant average copper temperature conditions. Inasmuch as the SynRM has negligible rotor losses compared with the induction motor, it is capable of a larger rated torque, from 10% to more than 20%, depending on the relative size of end connections and motor lengt

Evaluation of the Electromagnetic Environment Around Underground HVDC Lines

This paper analyses the magnetic-field emissions of a high-voltage dc transmission line constituted by two couples of underground cables laid along a highway. The transmission system, including all its components (transformers, converters filters, and line), is modeled through a circuital approach, which provides the distribution of the current harmonics along the line length. The magnetic field produced in the environment is then estimated by a hybrid finite element/boundary element method. The electromagnetic interferences with existing appliances and the human exposure to magnetic fields are investigated considering different laying configurations, conductor dispositions, and supply conditions. Compliance with regulations limiting human exposure and technical standards ensuring electromagnetic compatibility of appliances and devices are assessed

Ecodesign of Low-Voltage Systems and Exposure to ELF Magnetic Fields

The Ecodesign of modern residential and commercial low-voltage systems implements energy and equipment cost savings, optimizing the size of the distribution system without compromising their functionality or causing environmental contamination, including electromagnetic pollution. Protection of persons against shock hazards should result increased, and the electrical interferences among power systems reduced. To achieve the aforementioned improvements, a possible Ecodesign calls for an earthing system utilizing single-phase separation transformers installed in the unit, grounded at the mid-point of their secondary side. The introduction of a source of magnetic fields into the premises at the power frequency of 60/50 Hz (i.e. extremely low frequency, ELF) might expose persons to their potential adverse health effects, as well as, sensitive electronic equipment to disturbances. This paper seeks to clarify this matter by evaluating the ELF magnetic fields as produced by the user's own transformer and by other units eventually present in the vicinity

Hybrid models for the evaluation of energy sustainability in urban areas

Urban population in the world accounts for 54%, with 69% in Italy, and it continues to grow (The United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects, 2015). In this work, energy sustainability has been analysed in urban contexts with high energy consumptions and low availability of renewable energy sources. The sustainable management of energy is a great opportunity in the complex environments of urban areas where the buildings are always an important contributor. Main results of recent research activities, carried out by the authors, are presented with energy-use models for buildings considering statistical bottom-up and top-down models. These models have been tested on about 50 municipalities in the Metropolitan City of Turin comparing the results of bottom-up models (at building scale) with the top-down model at municipal scale using a GIS tool. Finally, new hybrid models have been integrated to consider urban morphology, solar exposition and microclimatic variables of different urban environments. The use of a GIS tool consents to manage and represent buildings data at urban scale

Battery Sources and Power Converters Interface in Waterborne Transport Applications

In recent years the electrification in the waterborne transport application is in noticeable development. To face the high battery cost, a proper design of the energy storage system is required. For battery sources, the solution worthy of investigation is the use of a hybrid energy storage system (HESS). HESS is composed of a power-dense battery and an energy-dense battery. The use of a HESS allows better optimization of the energy and power levels of the energy storage system. In the paper, the battery source requirements in the waterborne transport application are evaluated to achieve the best trade-off among energy, maximum power, and life cycle. Furthermore, the power converters selection, to balance the power flow among the batteries and the vessel electrical network is described

A new interpretation of the period-luminosity sequences of long-period variables

Period-luminosity (PL) sequences of long period variables (LPVs) are commonly interpreted as different pulsation modes, but there is disagreement on the modal assignment. Here, we re-examine the observed PL sequences in the Large Magellanic Cloud, including the sequence of long secondary periods (LSPs), and their associated pulsation modes. Firstly, we theoretically model the sequences using linear, radial, non-adiabatic pulsation models and a population synthesis model of the LMC red giants. Then, we use a semi-empirical approach to assign modes to the pulsation sequences by exploiting observed multi-mode pulsators. As a result of the combined approaches, we consistently find that sequences B and C$^{\prime}$ both correspond to first overtone pulsation, although there are some fundamental mode pulsators at low luminosities on both sequences. The masses of these fundamental mode pulsators are larger at a given luminosity than the mass of the first overtone pulsators. These two sequences B and C$^{\prime}$ are separated by a small period interval in which large amplitude pulsation in a long secondary period (sequence D variability) occurs, meaning that the first overtone pulsation is not seen as the primary mode of pulsation. Observationally, this leads to the splitting of the first overtone pulsation sequence into the two observed sequences B and C$^{\prime}$. Our two independent examinations also show that sequences A$^{\prime}$, A and C correspond to third overtone, second overtone and fundamental mode pulsation, respectively.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in Ap