Switched reluctance motor has features like robust structure, low cost, and wide speed extension range over conventional induction and synchronous motors. These features make it a promising choice for many applications from electric vehicle to aerospace industry. However, due to its silent structure, the characteristics of switched reluctance motor are highly nonlinear. The nonlinearity makes it difficult to control and results in degraded performance such as high torque ripple and acoustic noise compared with conventional induction machine or synchronous machine. New power converters and control methods have to be developed to improve its performance. In order to reduce the current ripple and torque ripple, a novel three-level converter for switched reluctance motor is proposed. The operation modes and modulation method are presented in detail. Simulation and experimental results show that compared to conventional two-level converter, the proposed three-level converter is able to reduce current ripple, torque ripple and acoustic noise significantly without increasing cost. A fast and accurate current controller is essential for the torque control of switched reluctance motor. An adaptive current controller for the three-level converter is developed to avoid the performance degradation caused by manufacture inconsistency. This controller has the ability to adjust its parameters according to the specific motor it drives. Fast dynamic and high accuracy could be achieved through parameter adaption. In order to reduce the cost, and compete with the well-developed sensorless brushless DC and induction motor drive system, a new position sensorless control method for switched reluctance motor is proposed. This method is effective under both low speed operation and high speed operation. It can start with heavy load. It does not have to align the machine before start up as what is needed for many sensorless brushless DC drive systems. The proposed converter and control methods are all verified by simulation and experimental results. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

[pt] Os motores de indução são as máquinas mais utilizadas nos acionamentos industriais elétricas devido a sua simplicidade, robustez, maior relação torque/corrente, baixa manutenção, etc. Sua aceitação e aplicação em acionamentos com velocidade variável têm sido possível com o desenvolvimento da eletrônica de potência. Atualmente, muitos acionamentos utilizam diversas técnicas para lograr o controle de velocidade por variação da freqüência da rede de alimentação, sendo que o controle vetorial é o mais comum. O presente trabalho, centra-se no estudo do desenvolvimento do motor de indução sob a aplicação do controle de velocidade, através da análise dos parâmetros necessários para realizar o dito controle na faixa de baixa velocidade, sem sensor de velocidade e/ou de posição. O trabalho inicia-se com o estudo das principais características funcionamento do motor de indução. Em seguida, a partir do modelo matemático do motor de indução, são analisados os diferentes tipos de controle de velocidade, com especial ênfase na variação da velocidade através da variação da freqüência. Finalmente, são estudados os parâmetros e métodos para o controle de velocidade sem sensor. O estudo é validado com diversas simulações realizadas no programa MatLab. / [en] The induction motors are the most commonly used eletric motors in the electrical industrial systems due its simplicity, robustness, greater torque/current ratio, low maintenance, etc. its acceptance and applications in operations with variable speed has been possible with the power electronics development. Currently, most of operations use several techniques to achieve the speed control by variable frequency of the power supply with vectorial control being the most common. The present work is centered in the study and development of the induction drive in speed control application, with the analysis of the necessary parameters to control in low speed band, without speed and/or position sensor. The work starts with the study of main functioning characteristic of the motor. After that, from the mathematical model of the induction motor, different speed control techniques are analyzed, with special emphasis in speed variation with variable frequency. Finally, the parameters and methods for sensor less control are studied. The study is variation with several simulations made Matlab program.

No description available.

This thesis focuses on utilizing the persistent voltage vector injections by finite control set model predictive control (FCSMPC) to enable simultaneous estimations of both position and parameters in order to realize robust sensorless interior permanent magnet synchronous machine (IPMSM) drives valid at the entire operating region including no-load standstill without any additional signal injection and switchover. The system (here, IPMSM) needs to meet certain observability conditions to identify the parameters and position. Moreover, each combination of the parameters and/or position involves different observability requirements which cannot be accomplished at every operating point. In particular, meeting the observability for parameters and position at no-load standstill is more challenging. This is overcome by generating persistent excitation in the system with high-frequency signal injection. The FCSMPC scheme inherently features the persistent excitation with voltage vector injection and hence no additional signal injection is required. Moreover, the persistent excitation always exists for FCSMPC except at the standstill where the control applies the null vectors when the reference currents are zero. However, introducing a small negative d axis current at the standstill would be sufficient to overcome this situation.The parameter estimations are investigated at first in this thesis. The observability is analyzed for the combinations of two, three and four parameters and experimentally validated by online identification based on recursive least square (RLS) based adaptive observer. The worst case operating points concerning observability are identified and experimentally proved that the online identification of all the parameter combinations could be accomplished with persistent excitation by FCMPC. Moreover, the effect of estimation error in one parameter on the other known as parameter coupling is reduced with the proposed decoupling technique. The persistent voltage vector injections by FCSMPC help to meet the observability conditions for estimating the position, especially at low speeds. However, the arbitrary nature of the switching ripples and absence of PWM modulator void the possibility of applying the standard demodulation based techniques for FCSMPC. Consequently, a nonlinear optimization based observer is proposed to estimate both the position and speed, and experimentally validated from standstill to maximum speed. Furthermore, a compensator is also proposed that prevents converging to saddle and symmetrical ( ambiguity) solutions. The robustness analysis of the proposed nonlinear optimization based observer shows that estimating the position without co-estimating the speed is more robust and the main influencing parameters on the accuracy of the position estimation are d and q inductances. Subsequently, the proposed nonlinear optimization based observer is extended to simultaneously estimate the position, d and q inductances. The experimental results show the substantial improvements in response time, and reduction in both steady and transient state position errors. In summary, this thesis presents the significance of persistent voltage vector injections in estimating both parameter and position, and also shows that nonlinear optimization based technique is an ideal candidate for robust sensorless FCSMPC. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Active research of SMAs has shown that its Seebeck coefficient is sensitive to its martensitic phase transformation and has the potential to determine the SMAs state of transformation. The combination of Shape Memory Alloys, which have a positive Seebeck coefficient, and Constantan which has a negative Seebeck coefficient (-35 mV/K) results in a thermocouple capable of measuring temperature. The work presented in this thesis is based on the development and design of this sensor. This sensor is used to study the hysteretic behaviour of SMAs. Although Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) exhibit a myriad of nonlinearities, SMAs show two major types of nonlinear hysteresis. During cyclic loading of the SMAs, it is observed that one type of hysteretic behavior depends on the rate of heating the SMAs, whilst the variation of maximum temperature of an SMA in each cycle results in the other hysteretic behavior. This later hysteretic behavior gives rise to major and minor nonlinear loops of SMAs. The present work analyzes the nonlinearities of hysteretic envelopes which gives the different maximum temperatures reached for each hysteretic cycle with respect to stress and strain of the SMA. This work then models this behavior using Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) and compares it to experimental results. The nonlinear learning and adaptation of ANFIS architecture makes it suitable to model the temperature path hysteresis of SMAs. / Master of Science

Dans ce mémoire de thèse, nous présentons la conception, l'analyse de la stabilité, les simulations numériques et aussi les résultats des expérimentes concernant différents contrôleurs de vitesse mécanique du moteur à réluctance variable (MRV).Dans les deux premiers chapitres une brève description de la physique et de la construction du MRV est présenté ainsi que le problème du contrôle d'être abordé, c'est la commande de vitesse sans capteur. Il est aussi présenté l'état de l'art de ce problème et certains des solutions proposées dans d'autres travaux. On propose notre solution et on présente un petit résumé des articles scientifiques qui ont été publiés dans des magazines et des conférences.Dans le chapitre numéro trois est présenté le design du contrôleur adaptatif et sans capteur du MRV. On suppose, dans une première étape que seule la vitesse mécanique est inconnue et la stabilité exponentielle uniforme des erreurs de suivement est obtenue. Dans une deuxième étape, les conditions d'opération sont aggravées et, en plus de la vitesse, les paramètres physiques sont également supposées inconnues, la stabilité asymptotique uniforme est obtenue dans ce cas. L'estimation des paramètres du MRV est garantie grâce à la condition de persistance d'excitation. Cette commande se compose de deux boucles, une boucle interne basée sur un contrôleur de type PI2D qui est particulièrement intéressant parce qu'il est libre de modèle; cette boucle entraîne les variables mécaniques -la position et la vitesse- vers une référence désirée. Une deuxième boucle de contrôle externe prend le courant électrique vers un ' "courant de référence virtuelle" qui est généré sur la base d'une approche de partage de couple. Le contrôleur propose est testé au niveau de simulations numériques qui sont également présentés.Dans le quatrième chapitre, une nouvelle approche de modélisation du MRV est utilisée pour concevoir le contrôleur. Dans ce scénario, on suppose que l'ensemble de l'état et tous les paramètres physiques sont disponibles, cette approche est pensée pour être adapté au contrôleur basé sur observateur, recherche qui est en cours de développement. Le contrôleur est composé de deux boucles, également que celui qui a été mentionné précédemment. Ce contrôleur est sélectionné parce qu'il est approprié pour le contrôle d'équivalence vraie, qui il s'agit de remplacer les «mesures physiques» provenant d'un capteur par les «observations» provenant d'un observateur. La mise en oeuvre numérique est effectuée sur Simulink de Matlab.Enfin, dans le chapitre cinq, les résultats expérimentaux qui ont été effectués pour évaluer la performance des contrôleurs proposés -ce sont les PI2D et adaptatif PI2D pour le modèle simplifie ainsi que le PID pour le nouveau approche de modélisation- sont présentés. Dans la première partie, une brève description de la construction du banc de tests utilisé est présenté ainsi que quelques-unes caractéristiques techniques. Trois différentes profils de vitesse sont imposées à chacun des contrôleurs proposés -ce sont la tangente hyperbolique, la rampe saturée et la référence sinusoïdal- et de bonnes résultats sont obtenus en considérant que la variable contrôlée est la vitesse. Le dernier chapitre correspond aux conclusions de la recherche effectuée ainsi qu'aux travaux futurs. / In this thesis dissertation we present the design, stability analysis, numerical simulations and physical experiments of different controllers designed to drive the mechanical velocity of the switched reluctance motor (SRM). In the First and Second Chapters a brief description of the physics and construction of the SRM is presented, as well as the problem of control to be aboard, that is the velocity sensorless control of motors and the state of the art of this problem. The proposed solution is introduced and a summary of the published papers as well as the contribution are also presented.In the Chapter number three is presented the velocity sensorless and adaptive control of the SRM. It is assumed, in a first stage, that only mechanical velocity is unknown, uniform exponential stability of the errors is achieved in this scenario. In a second stage, conditions are stressed and in addition to the velocity, physical parameters are also assumed unknown, uniform asymptotical stability is achieved in this case and parameters estimation is guaranteed under a persistence of excitation condition. This controller consists of two loops, an internal loop based on a PI2D–type controller which is of particular interest given it is free-model; this loop drives the mechanical variables –that is position and velocity- towards a desired reference. An external control loop takes the electrical current towards a ‘’virtual” current reference which is generated based on a torque share approach. The controller is tested on numerical simulations, which are also presented.In the fourth chapter, a new approach on the modeling of the SRM is utilized to design the controller, in this scenario is assumed that the whole state and all the physical parameters are available, however this approach is thought to be suitable to observer based controller, whose ongoing research is being performed. The controller is composed by two loops, similarly to the one mentioned previously. This controller is selected because it is suitable for certainty equivalence control, that is, to substitute the “measurements” by the “observations” coming from a virtual sensor. Numerical implementation is performed on Simulink of Matlab.Finally, in the Chapter five, the experimental results carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed controllers are presented, these are the PI2D and the adaptive PI2D controllers for the simplified model and the $PID$ controller for the novel modeling approach. In the first part, a brief description of the construction of the utilized bench is presented as well as the some technical characteristics. Three different velocity profiles were imposed to each of the overmentioned controllers –these are the so called smooth step, the saturated ramp and the sinusoidal reference- and good results, considering that the controlled variable is the velocity, were obtained. The last chapter corresponds to the conclusions of the performed research as well as to the future work.

Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The focus of this thesis is position sensorless control of a transverse-laminated reluctance synchronous machine. Rotor position information is required for high-performance closedloop control of the reluctance synchronous machine and is conventionally supplied by unreliable hardware position resolvers. In addition a FPGA-based rapid prototyping system is completed as part of the research term for control of the machine drive system. For the first time the unified active- ux (AF) method is investigated and implemented for position sensorless control of the transverse-laminated reluctance synchronous machine in this study. The method is based on the torque equation of the machine and is basically the same for any AC machine. The estimation scheme is implemented for closed-loop position sensorless control from low- to rated speed in the entire rated load range with simulation and measured results confirming its capabilities. A number of characteristics of the machine (including generator operation) have implications for implementation of the active- ux (AF) method and are therefore investigated. Another position estimation method investigated is the arbitrary injection (AI) scheme which is derived to be completely machine parameter independent. The method simply requires a current progression at each calculation step allowing use of a smaller injection voltage. This method is implemented again on the reluctance synchronous machine and is shown to be capable of position sensorless current and speed control of the drive from standstill to rated speed with simulation and measured results. However, when the machine is operating above low speeds it is shown that this technique is only capable of position sensorless control at low loads. To deliver position sensorless control in the entire rated speed and load range a new hybrid controller scheme is designed and implemented. The hybrid scheme is speed and load dependent with hysteresis regions for stability at specific working points. The active- ux (AF) method is implemented in the low to rated speed range at medium to rated loads while the arbitrary injection (AI) method is implemented elsewhere. Measured results show that the scheme is capable of position sensorless control in the entire rated speed and load range with some limitations on dynamics. Because of the limitations on dynamics of the hybrid scheme an assisted fundamental model position estimation scheme was investigated. Simulation results show that this controller requires further investigation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die fokus in hierdie tesis is die posisie-sensorlose beheer van 'n transvers-gelamineerde reluktansie sinchroonmasjien. Rotor posisie inligting word benodig vir geslote-lus beheer van die reluktansie sinchroonmasjien met ho e-werkverrigting, en word normaalweg deur onbetroubare hardeware sensors verskaf. As deel van die navorsings-termyn is 'n FPGAgebaseerde beheerstelsel vir die masjien stelsel voltooi. Die \aktiewe-vloed" posisie-afskattings metode is ondersoek en vir die eerste keer ge mplementeer vir posisie-sensorlose beheer van die transvers-gelamineerde reluktansie sinchroonmasjien. Die metode is dieselfde in konsep vir alle WS masjiene en word basseer op die vergelyking vir wringkrag van die masjien. Vollas geslote-lus posisie-sensorlose beheer van die masjien in die lae tot ho e spoedbereik is suksesvol ge mplementeer met simulasie en gemete resultate. Verkskeie inherente eienskappe van die masjien het implikasies vir gebruik van die \aktiewe-vloed" metode (insluitend generator werking) en is dus ondersoek. Die \arbitr^ere injeksie" metode wat afgelei is om onafhanklik van masjien parameters te wees is ook odersoek. Hierdie metode verlang slegs 'n stroom-afgeleide by elke tydstip en benodig dus 'n kleiner injeksie-spanning. Hierdie metode is weer ge mplementeer op die reluktansie sinchroon masjien met suksesvolle posisie-sensorlose beheer in die hele spoed bereik getoon in simulasie en praktiese resultate. Dit word egter getoon dat hierdie metode slegs onder lae-las toestande posisie sensorlose beheer bo lae-spoed kan bewerkstellig. Ten einde posisie-sensorlose beheer in die hele spoed en wringkrag bereik te verkry is 'n nuwe hibriede beheerskema ontwerp en ge mplementeer. Die skema is spoed en las afhanklik met histerese vir stabiliteit by 'n spesi eke werkpunt. Die \aktiewe-vloed" metode word gebruik bo lae spoed teen 'n minimum las terwyl die \arbitr^ere injeksie" andersins ge mplementeer word. Gemete resultate toon dat die skema posisie-sensorlose beheer van die masjien in die hele spoed en las bereik toelaat met sommige beperkings op dinamika. Met inagneming van die beperkings op die hibriede metode is 'n ondersteunde fundamentele model afskattingskema ondersoek. Simulasie resulate toon dat hierdie beheerder verdere ondersoek benodig.

Le travail proposé dans cette thèse porte sur l’amélioration de l’efficacité énergétique et de la sûreté de fonctionnement de la Machine à Réluctance Variable (MRV). D’abord, nous avons présenté la commande de la MRV en modes moteur et générateur débitant sur bus continu. Pour le mode moteur, on cherche à réguler la vitesse de rotation et le couple, alors qu’en mode générateur, l’objectif de la commande est de maintenir constante la tension du bus malgré les fluctuations de la vitesse et de la charge. Une démarche itérative est proposée pour la maximisation du rendement global. Trois paramètres de réglage ont été choisis : L’angle d’amorçage (Ψ), l’angle de conduction (Θp) et le courant de référence des phases (Iref). L’efficacité de l’algorithme est évaluée à travers des simulations et des tests expérimentaux. Un rendement global maximal de 70% est atteint pour des vitesses et couples élevés. Ensuite, on s’est intéressé à la connexion de la Génératrice à Réluctance Variable (GRV) au réseau alternatif monophasé ou triphasé dans le cadre d’une application éolienne. La tension continue à la sortie de la GRV est convertie en une tension alternative par un convertisseur DC-AC. Le premier objectif est de maintenir la tension du bus continu à sa valeur nominale; le second est de contrôler la qualité du courant injecté dans le réseau. En monophasé, trois types de correcteur sont testés pour réguler le courant sinusoïdal (un correcteur PI, un correcteur Résonant et un correcteur Proportionnel-Résonant). En triphasé, une commande VQ dans le référentiel de Park est adoptée: La tension du bus continu est contrôlée à travers le courant id et la puissance réactive est contrôlée par le courant iq. Les résultats de simulation montrent qu’on obtient des courants quasi-sinusoïdaux avec un taux de distorsion harmonique inférieur à 1% aussi bien en monophasé qu’en triphasé. Enfin, pour améliorer la sûreté de fonctionnement de l’actionneur et réduire les coûts liés à l’utilisation de capteurs mécaniques, trois stratégies de commande sans capteur de position sont présentées. La première est basée sur la technique d’injection. La deuxième repose sur l’estimation du flux. La troisième s’appuie sur les observateurs adaptatifs. On trouve que la technique d’injection et la méthode basée sur la mesure du flux fonctionnent de façon complémentaire. La première est efficace en basses vitesses et ne dépend pas de la charge, la deuxième est performante en hautes vitesses et pour des charges élevées. L’observateur adaptatif proposé assure une convergence exponentielle de la position malgré le modèle analytique simplifié de l’inductance utilisé pour la synthèse. Son principal avantage réside dans sa robustesse aux variations paramétriques et au couple de charge qui est estimé. / The work proposed here focuses on the improvement of the energy efficiency and the safety of the Switched Reluctance Machine (SRM). First, the control of the SRM in motor and generator modes is presented. In motor mode, the speed and the torque are regulated, while in generator mode, the objective is to keep constant the DC bus voltage. An iterative optimization algorithm is proposed formaximizing the global efficiency. The analysis of the electromechanical energy conversion has shown that there is an optimal combination of the control variables - turn on angle (Ψ), conduction angle (Θp) and reference current (Iref) – to maximize the efficiency. The strategy is evaluated using intensive numerical simulations and experimental validation. Thanks to the optimization, the global efficiency reaches 70% almost from half the nominal speed to the maximum speed. Then, the Switched Reluctance Generator (SRG) is used as an AC generator for a Wind Energy Conversion (WEC) application. The produced DC power is converted into AC power by means of voltage inverter and delivered to the AC grid. The first issue of the WEC control is to maintain constant the output DC voltage despite the wind speed variations and the load uncertainty. The second issue is to control the quality of the current. In single-phase AC network, three controllers are tested to regulate the AC current (PI controller, Resonant controller, Proportional-Resonant controller). In three-phase AC network, a VQ control in Park’s frame is adopted: The DC bus voltage is controlled through the direct current and the reactive power injected into the grid is controlled through the quadrature current. Simulation results show that quasi-sinusoidal currents with a harmonic distortion rate less than 1% are obtained in both cases. Finally, we address the problem of sensorless control. In fact, the control of the SRM requires that the rotor position is known. A mechanical encoder is used generally to measure the position. The elimination of this position sensor would reduce the cost and packaging requirements of the drive. Three methods to estimate the rotor position are presented. The first one named inductance-method is an active as it is based on the pulse injection technique. The second one named flux-method is a passive one as it used the current measurement. The third one is based on the state observers for the flux, position, and velocity and load torque estimation. The simulations results have shown that the inductance-based method is efficient in low speed region and the flux-based one is more efficient in high-speed region. It is also shown that, observers are exponentially convergent even when a simple analytical modelling, that neglects saturation effect, is used to design the observer.

This thesis demonstrates a practical implementation of a sensorless permanent magnet synchronousmotor (PMSM) drive for vehicle propulsion. The main design parameters and overall properties of themotor drive are derived for the case of an on-board electric powertrain as a substitute to the lift shuttle indownhill (DH) mountain biking.The theory behind field oriented control (FOC) for sensorless PMSMs is analyzed in some detail.Controller-inverter hardware and software are designed and prototyped in accordance with the deriveddesign parameters. Initial tuning and testing in a test bench environment is described. The powertrain isfinally installed on a test bike and tested on an incline. It is found that the performance of the controllerinvertercomplies with the target design parameters.

No description available.