F. Genduso

Back EMF Sensorless-Control Algorithm for High-Dynamic Performance PMSM

In this paper, a low-time-consuming and low-cost sensorless-control algorithm for high-dynamic performance permanent-magnet synchronous motors, both surface and internal permanent-magnet mounted for position and speed estimation, is introduced, discussed, and experimentally validated. This control algorithm is based on the estimation of rotor speed and angular position starting from the back electromotive force space-vector determination without voltage sensors by using the reference voltages given by the current controllers instead of the actual ones. This choice obviously introduces some errors that must be vanished by means of a compensating function. The novelties of the proposed estimation algorithm are the position-estimation equation and the process of compensation of the inverter phase lag that also suggests the final mathematical form of the estimation. The mathematical structure of the estimation guarantees a high degree of robustness against parameter variation as shown by the sensitivity analysis reported in this paper. Experimental verifications of the proposed sensorless-control system have been made with the aid of a flexible test bench for brushless motor electrical drives. The test results presented in this paper show the validity of the proposed low-cost sensorless-control algorithm and, above all, underline the high dynamic performances of the sensorless-control system also with a reduced equipment.

Generalized PWM–VSI Control Algorithm Based on a Universal Duty-Cycle Expression: Theoretical Analysis, Simulation Results, and Experimental Validations

This paper presents a new approach in realizing various carrier-based pulsewidth-modulation techniques by a generalized control algorithm, which is referred to as the universal control algorithm and is obtained via unequal sharing of null states. The flexibility of such an approach allows one to easily and quickly control two-level inverters. Furthermore, this approach may be also extended with few changes to the control of multilevel inverters. The algorithm that is presented here for two-level voltage-source inverters (VSIs) also obtains efficient detection and management of both the linear and overmodulation ranges. In the overmodulation range, which is treated by using the alpha-beta components of the reference-voltage space vector, the algorithm shows the advantage of lower calculation time, thus allowing one, if required, to increase the switching frequency. Several simulation runs have been performed, aiming to test the proposed procedure for both two-level and multilevel VSIs. Finally, the new algorithm was experimentally validated in the case of two-level inverters by using it in a VSI workbench that can carry out several experimental tests

A suitable control technique for fault-tolerant converters in Distributed Generation

The penetration of Distributed Generation (DG) in power systems is deeply changing the existing distribution networks which is becoming a very sophisticated and complex systems incorporating both active (generators) and passive systems (distribution systems, converters and loads). The necessary simplification can be obtained dealing with small networks, namely Micro-Grids, reproducing, in a smaller scale, the structure and the problems of large networks including production, transmission and distribution of the electrical energy. In order to achieve an adequate level of reliability, fault-tolerant operations of micro-grids become very important. This result can be achieved only using power converters with fault-tolerance capabilities. Therefore, this paper, presents a control algorithm for fault tolerant converters suitable for micro-grids. After describing the model of the power converter reformulated in terms of healthy leg binary variable, the paper shows how this control preserves power quality when the converter works in the linear range. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is shown through computer simulations.

Comprehensive Modeling and Experimental Testing of Fault Detection and Management of a Nonredundant Fault-Tolerant VSI

This paper presents an investigation and a comprehensive analysis on fault operations in a conventional three-phase voltage source inverter. After an introductory section dealing with power converter reliability and fault analysis issues in power electronics, a generalized switching function accounting for both healthy and faulty conditions and an easy and feasible method to embed fault diagnosis and reconfiguration within the control algorithm are introduced. The proposed system has simple and compact implementation. Experimental results operating both at open- and closed-loop current control, obtained using a test bench realized using a dSPACE system and the fault-tolerant inverter prototype demonstrate that the proposed solution is effective and feasible and makes all faults easily managed by the controller itself.

Computer aided optimization via simulation tools of energy generation systems with universal small wind turbines

This paper considers the general issues in the project and the optimization of energy generation systems using small universal wind turbines, suitable in Distributed Generation (DG) and computer aided optimization for a better exploitation of wind source. Optimization in this field reveal to be more and more important because the local generation and consumption of electrical power, even for grid connected generators can suffers for unevenness of wind source exploitation, also in terms of wrong directions and in not regular wind flows. Computer aided design and optimization of small plants may give significant improvements in the development of the wind source also in accordance with the projections of future energy policies that foresee a significant increase of the wind generated energy for the future market. The effectiveness of computer aided optimization tools is illustrated in the present paper with the exposition of two case studies. In the first of them a Wind Electrical Energy Generating System is moved by a Modular Multiple Blade Fixed Pitch Wind Turbine coupled with an asynchronous wound rotor generator. In the second case study the optimization regards a Savonius wind turbine and a PM synchronous generator with particular reference to the development of wind source for the wind turbine and the reduction of saturation and of harmonic content in the emf for the electrical machines.

Experimental investigation on high efficiency real-time control algorithms for IPMSMs

This paper describes an experimental investigation on the power losses variations occurring in an Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (IPMSM) with respect to the direct axis current component. Such investigation can be useful to determine a mathematical model accounting for copper, iron and mechanical friction losses, and for the arrangement of a speed control drive system equipped with a real-time power losses minimization algorithm. In particular, a test bench has been set up in order to carry out all measurements and the final power loss identification. The test bed is composed by a IPMSM drive with a field oriented control (FOC) strategy, a power analyzer, a dynamometric brake and a computer for data storage and processing. The experimental investigation was carried out by making several tests at different speed, magnetization and load conditions. From the obtained results, it can be stated that the power losses occurring in the IPMSM can be minimized by acting on the direct axis current component, increasing, therefore, the efficiency, without decreasing the dynamic performances of the drive.

Development of diagnostic systems for the fault tolerant operation of Micro-Grids.

The progressive penetration level of Distributed Generation (DG) is destined to cause deep changes in the existing distribution networks no longer considered as passive terminations of the whole electrical system. A possible solution is the realization of small networks, namely the Micro-Grids, reproducing in themselves the structure of the main production and distribution of the electrical energy system. In order to gain an adequate reliability level of the micro-grids the individuation and the management of the faults with the goal of maintaining the micro-grid operation (fault tolerant operation) is quite important. In the present paper after the introduction of the aims of several diagnostic systems, the main available diagnostic techniques are examined with particular references to those applied to the fault diagnosis of the electrical machines and finally the Authors also present an approach for the fault tolerant exercise of the micro-grid.

A general mathematical model for non-redundant fault-tolerant inverters

Industrial systems able to release trusted services is an integrated concept that resumes the attributes of availability, reliability, safety, integrity, and maintainability. In power electronics this can be aimed via the introduction of fault tolerant architectures. While In the past technical literature the mathematical modeling problem for non-redundant converters was fronted studying separately the cases of fault leg by leg, in this paper a general model able to include the three possible cases of leg faults with a unique set of equation is introduced and discussed. The same model allows to evaluate the DC Link transient and steady state evolution and also allows to develop with much ease an all at once control strategy for the three fault cases.

A DSP-Based Resolver-To-Digital Converter for High-Performance Electrical Drive Applications

This paper presents a low cost, simple, and highly accurate resolver-to-digital converter (RDC) for electrical drive applications based on an integrated software approach, thus allowing a significant reduction of hardware components count with significant improvements in terms of reliability, reduction of fault rate, and susceptibility to electromagnetic interference (EMI). Particular attention has been addressed to cost which is 25% off over conventional RDC. Simulations and experimental tests confirm the high quality of the proposed system.

A PV plant simulator for testing MPPT techniques

This paper introduces a versatile and reliable photovoltaic systems simulator. It includes the main components of a photovoltaic plant: a PV string and a PWM controlled boost chooper. The key feature of this simulator is the ability to consider different and non-uniform irradiation and temperature conditions (partial shading and partial heating of the strings). All the different I-V and P-V or P-I characteristics can then be determined in such non-uniform irradiation and temperature conditions, with the aim to try different MPPT algorithms. The simulator also allows to verify an enhanced version of the Incremental Conductance algorithm (IncCond) where, in order to reach the real absolute maximum power condition, the reference control current of the boost chopper are periodically reset to a given percentage of the short circuit current at standard conditions. After this perturbation, the steady state power values are registered and compared to establish the final value of reference current that allows the IncCond algorithm to reach a steady state at the real abolute maximum power transfer.