Gabriele Grandi

Stray capacitances of single-layer solenoid air-core inductors

This paper presents a method for predicting parasitic capacitances of solenoid HF inductors made of one layer of turns with circular cross sections, uniformly wound around a cylindrical nonconductive core. The method is based on an analytical approach to obtain the turn-to-turn and turn-to-shield capacitances of coils. The influence of the wire insulation is taken into account. An equivalent lumped parallel capacitance is derived. The method was tested by experimental measurements. The calculated and measured values were in good agreement in the considered cases. The derived expressions are useful for designing HF inductors and can also be adopted for modeling and simulation purposes.

A New Multilevel Conversion Structure for Grid-Connected PV Applications

A novel scheme for three-phase grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) generation systems is presented in this paper. The scheme is based on two insulated strings of PV panels, each one feeding the dc bus of a standard two-level three-phase voltage-source inverter (VSI). The inverters are connected to the grid by a three-phase transformer having open-end windings on the inverter side. The resulting conversion structure performs as a multilevel power active filter (equivalent to a three-level inverter), doubling the power capability of a single VSI with given voltage and current ratings. The multilevel voltage waveforms are generated by an improved space-vector-modulation algorithm, suitable for the implementation in industrial digital signal processors. An original control method has been introduced to regulate the dc-link voltages of each VSI, according to the voltage reference given by a single maximum power point tracking controller. The proposed regulation system has been verified by numerical simulations and experimental tests with reference to different operating conditions.

Effects of flux and torque hysteresis band amplitude in direct torque control of induction machines

Direct torque control of induction machines allows high dynamic performance to be obtained utilising a simple signal processing method. Furthermore, this control technique does not require current regulators so reducing the hardware requirements. In this paper, the influence of the amplitude of flux and torque hysteresis bands on switching frequency, torque and flux ripple, current distortion and drive losses is investigated. The advantages of a careful choice of hysteresis band amplitudes are emphasised. The numerical results are verified by experimental tests carried out on a DSP based processing system.<<ETX>>

A Space Vector PWM Scheme for Multifrequency Output Voltage Generation With Multiphase Voltage-Source Inverters

Multiphase variable-speed drives, supplied from two-level voltage-source inverters (VSIs), are nowadays considered for various industrial applications. Depending on the drive structure and/or the motor design, the VSI is required to generate either sinusoidal voltages or voltages that contain a certain number of sinusoidal components (ldquomultifrequency output voltagesrdquo). The existing space vector pulsewidth-modulation (SVPWM) schemes are based on selection of (n-1) active space vectors (for odd phase numbers) within a switching period and they yield either sinusoidal voltage or sinusoidal fundamental voltage in combination with a limited amount of other harmonic terms. This paper develops a SVPWM scheme, which enables multifrequency output voltage generation with arbitrary values of various sinusoidal components in the output voltage. The method is based on initial selection of (n-1)2/2 active space vectors within a switching period, instead of the common (n-1) active vectors. By properly arranging the sequence of the vector application, it is possible to provide an automatic postreduction of the number of applied active vectors to (n-1), thus maintaining the same switching frequency as with the existing schemes while simultaneously avoiding the limiting on the generated sinusoidal output voltage components. Theoretical considerations are detailed using a five-phase VSI. The experimental verification is provided using a five-phase two-motor series-connected induction motor drive, supplied from a custom-designed five-phase DSP-controlled VSI.

Multilevel Operation and Input Power Balancing for a Dual Two-Level Inverter with Insulated DC Sources

A multilevel inverter topology feeding a three-phase open-end winding machine is analyzed in this paper. The scheme is based on the use of two insulated DC supplies, each one feeding a standard two-level three-phase inverter. The three-phase six-wire winding is connected across the output terminals of the two inverters. A new modulation technique that is able to regulate the sharing of the output power between the two DC sources in each switching cycle is presented. The performance of the whole system has been verified by both numerical and experimental tests.

Lumped parameter models for single- and multiple-layer inductors

A method for modeling inductors under high-frequency operation is presented. The method is based on analytical approaches which can predict turn inductances, turn-to-turn and turn-to-core capacitances using physical structure of windings. Turn inductances, turn-to-turn and turn-to-core capacitances of coils are then introduced into suitable lumped parameter equivalent circuits of inductors. The overall inductance and stray capacitance can be obtained through the use of the equivalent circuits. Both single- and multiple-layer inductors are considered. The method was tested with experimental measurements. The accuracy of the results was good in most cases. The derived expressions can be useful for the design of HF inductors and can also be used for simulation purposes.

High-frequency small-signal model of ferrite core inductors

A circuit model of ferrite core inductors is presented. The behavior of the model parameters versus frequency is considered. The total power loss in inductors consisting of the winding resistance loss and the core loss, is modeled by a frequency-dependent equivalent series resistance. The total inductance given by the sum of the main inductance and the leakage inductance is obtained as a function of frequency. In order to study the core equivalent resistance and main inductance versus frequency, the magnetic field distribution in the core is derived from Maxwells equations for a long solenoid. The complex permeability and permittivity of the ferrite core are introduced in the electromagnetic field equations. Experimental results are also given.

Model of laminated iron-core inductors for high frequencies

We propose a model with frequency-dependent lumped parameters to represent the behavior of laminated iron-core inductors that are used in switching converters, i.e., for excitation frequencies above several kilohertz. The model applies to laminated iron cores with air gaps. We show that the core parameters can be calculated by using the same analytical expressions as those valid for gapless cores if a properly defined equivalent magnetic permeability is introduced instead of the iron sheet permeability. We compare the inductor model parameters calculated as functions of frequency with those obtained by measurements for two test inductors. The behavior of the inductors showed that the effects due to the eddy currents in the laminated iron core and the turn-to-turn and turn-to-core stray capacitances become significant in different frequency ranges.

Space vector modulation of a seven-phase voltage source inverter

A generalized multi-phase space vector theory is considered for developing the space vector modulation of a seven-phase voltage source inverter. The modulation is based on the control of the voltage vector in the first d-q plane, imposing to be zero the voltage vectors in both the second and the third d-q planes. The proposed switching pattern includes one-leg commutation at a time, with the possibility to share the zero voltage between the two null vectors. The maximum value of the modulation index for sinusoidal balanced output phase voltages is carried out. The theoretical analysis is confirmed by numerical simulations

Analytical Determination of DC-Bus Utilization Limits in Multiphase VSI Supplied AC Drives

Two-level multiphase voltage source inverters (VSIs) are typically used as the supply for multiphase machines. Such machines are often with concentrated winding in which case, certain low-order stator current harmonics are injected to provide torque enhancement. Also, a multimotor drive system can be realized by connecting a number of multiphase machines in series, using phase transposition while supplying the whole system from a single multiphase VSI. In both situations, it is important to know the limits of the inverter operation in the linear modulation region. This paper develops a simple method that enables analytical determination of the boundaries of the linear modulation region for all multiphase inverters with a prime number of phases. The limits are independent of the actual pulse width modulation (PWM) method utilized, and are equally applicable to both carrier-based and space vector PWM techniques. Theoretical considerations are verified experimentally using the five-phase and seven-phase VSI rigs.