Modeling and impedance analysis of a single DC bus-based multiple-source multiple-load electrical power system

The impedance based stability assessment method has been widely used to assess the stability of interconnected systems in different application areas. This paper deals with the source/load impedance analysis of the droop-controlled multiple sources multiple loads system which is a promising candidate in the future more-electric aircraft (MEA). This paper develops a mathematical model of the PMSG-based variable frequency generation system, derives the output impedance of the source subsystem including converter dynamics and shows the effect of parameters variation on source impedance and load impedance. A dynamic droop controller is proposed to provide the active damping to the system. In addition, the impedance analysis is extended to a generalized single bus-based multiple sources multiple loads system in which power losses are also investigated. The aforementioned analytical result is confirmed by experimental results

An enhanced secondary control approach for voltage restoration in the DC distribution system

The paper will deal with the problem of establishing a desirable power sharing in multi-feed electric power system for future more-electric aircraft (MEA) platforms. The MEA is one of the major trends in modern aerospace engineering aiming for reduction of the overall aircraft weight, operation cost and environmental impact. Electrical systems are employed to replace existing hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical loads. Hence the onboard installed electrical power increases significantly and this results in challenges in the design of electrical power systems (EPS). One of the key paradigms for future MEA EPS architectures assumes high-voltage dc distribution with multiple sources, possibly of different physical nature, feeding the same bus(es). In our study we investigate control approaches to guarantee that the total electric load is shared between the sources in a desirable manner. A novel communication channel based secondary control method is proposed in this paper. Stability of the proposed method is investigated and it proves that the system stability margin is upgraded using the compensation method. The analytical results of the study will be supported by both time-domain simulations and experimental results

μ approach to robust stability domains in the space of parametric uncertainties for a power system with ideal CPL

Power electronic systems are prone to instability. The problem, generally attributed to the constant power load (CPL) behaviour of their power electronic controlled loads, can become more acute when the systems are subject to parametric uncertainties. The structured singular value (SSV) based method has proven to be a reliable approach for assessing the stability robustness of such uncertain systems. Despite its numerous benefits, the method is not often applied to electrical power systems (EPS) with multiple uncertainties. This may be due to the mathematical complexity underlying the theory. This work aims to make the approach more application-friendly by providing clearer insights into the meaning and usefulness of the robust stability measure for EPS with multiple parametric uncertainties. This is achieved by presenting a methodology for translating analysis results from the frequency domain to the more perceivable uncertain parameters domain. The method directly demonstrates dependences of system stability on uncertain system parameters. Further, it clearly identifies robust stability domains as subsets of the much wider stability domains. The work is based on a representative EPS connected to an ideal CPL. analysis predictions are evaluated and validated against analytical results for the example CPL system

Stability assessment of a droop-controlled multi-generator electrical power system in the more electric aircraft using parameter space approach

This paper investigates the dynamic stability of a droop-controlled multi-generator system in the more electric aircraft (MEA). Based on the developed state-space model of the potential dc electrical power system (EPS) architecture, the stability boundaries of EPS operation depending on parameter variations including component parameters and operating conditions are investigated. The effect of multiple parametric uncertainties on EPS stability is graphically illustrated by stability regions maps. In addition, the effect of the droop coefficient on the stability is discussed from the impedance point of view. The detailed mathematical models and analytical results of stability assessment are verified by time domain simulation studies

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

Assessment of torque ripple minimization techniques for aircraft switched reluctance machine starter/generator

This paper presents an assessment of different torque ripple minimization techniques for more electric aircraft Switched Reluctance Machine (SRM) starter/generator (S/G). SRM is one of the most popular potential candidates for future aircraft S/G. SRM is a type of electric machine that features simple structure hence it is cheap to manufacture, also it is very robust. However, one of the major disadvantages of SRM is that, due to its structural nature, its highly nonlinear characteristics would result in unwanted torque ripple. In order to eliminate/minimise the torque ripple, some techniques were proposed over the last decades. In this paper, several techniques of Torque ripples minimization (TRM) are introduced and then it focuses on the assessment of two techniques suitable for the proposed 45 kW SRM as S/G, namely torque sharing function (TSF) technique and a newly proposed closed-loop torque control (CLTC) technique. An analytical modelling method is also proposed in order to apply the proposed TRM techniques. Conclusions and future works are presented at the end of this paper

Robust stability analysis of a dc/dc buck converter under multiple parametric uncertainties

Stability studies are a crucial part of the design of power electronic systems, especially for safety critical ap¬plications. Standard methods can guarantee stability under nominal conditions but do not take into account the multiple uncertainties that are inherent in the physical system or in the system model. These uncertainties, if unaccounted for, may lead to highly optimistic or even erroneous stability margins. The structured singular value-based method justifiably takes into account all possible uncertainties in the system. However, the application of the method to power electronic systems with multiple uncertainties is not widely discussed in the literature. This work presents practical approaches to applying the method in the robust stability analysis of such uncertain systems. Further, it reveals the significant impact of various types of parametric uncertainties on the reliability of stability assessments of power electronic systems. This is achieved by examining the robust stability margin of the dc/dc buck converter system, when it is subject to variations in system load, line resistance, operating temperature and uncertainties in the system model. The predictions are supported by time domain simulation and experimental results

DC-link capacitor second carrier band switching harmonic current reduction in two-level back-to-back converters

This paper proposes an active switching harmonic current reduction method within the DC-link capacitor of two-level, three-phase, back-to-back converters. The method is based on the derived analytical solution for switching harmonic currents in the DC-link. It is shown that by controlling the PWM carrier waveform’s phase angles, the harmonics in the 2nd carrier band of the rectifier and the inverter can be synchronized such that cancellation occurs in the DC-link capacitor. This synchronization is provided by harmonic phase feedback control. The feasibility of the proposed approach has been verified experimentally and results are presented in the pape

Dynamic output feedback linearizing control of saturated induction motors with torque per ampere ratio maximization

The paper presents a novel maximum torque per Ampere (MTA) controller for induction motor (IM) drives. The proposed controller exploits the concept of direct (observer based) field orientation and guarantees asymptotic torque tracking of smooth reference trajectories and maximizes the torque per Ampere ratio when the developed torque is constant or slowly varying. A dynamic output-feedback linearizing technique is employed for the torque subsystem design. In order to improve torque tracking accuracy a motor magnetizing curve is taken into account during MTA optimization and controller design. The achieved steady-state system efficiency have been compared experimentally for three types of controllers, namely: standard vector control with constant flux operation, controller based on classic maximization of torque per Ampere ratio for linear magnetic circuit and controller based on MTA strategy for saturated induction motor. It is shown experimentally that the controller designed for saturated induction motor provides not only higher torque per Ampere ratio but also increases power factor and reduces active power consumption hence improving the drive efficiency. Operation with slowly varying torque references has also been analysed. It is shown that the proposed controller is suitable for applications that do not demand an extremely fast dynamic response, for example for electric vehicle drives

Conceptual design of battery energy storage for aircraft hybrid propulsion system

The paper presents a conceptual design approach for Energy Storage (ES) devices in advanced hybrid propulsion system for small aircrafts. The study targets operational improvement and reduction of fuel consumption for different flight missions. Power sharing strategies for ES and the engine are proposed for cruise flight phase aiming to maximise the range and/or endurance for the available amount of fuel in the tank. The ES size is designed against the engine performance and the proposed power sharing strategy by optimizing the flight altitude