published_or_final_version / Mechanical Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 1998. / Title from document title page. "July 29, 1998." Document formatted into pages; contains xii, 100 p. : ill. (some col.) Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 84-87).

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 188-196).

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 1999. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 69 p. : ill. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 68-69).

This thesis is concerned with the modelling of electrical machines for use in variable-speed drives. Even when the structure of the model of the machine is known values have to be assigned to the parameters. In addition, it is usual for only some of the state variables to be measured, any others needed being estimated using the model. The present work is a study of methods of making on-line estimates of the model parameters, using a reduced number of measured states. To offer high level dynamic torque control the non-measured state variables must be indirectly estimated to a high degree of accuracy throughout the complete range of operating conditions. The state estimator is generally classified with respect to the degree of structural complexity. At one end of the spectrum the model is constructed with a very high level of complexity in order to describe fully the system during any operating conditions. Because of this structural accuracy, the model parameters can be fixed prior to running the machine under normal conditions. However, this scheme suffers from a high computational burden in the state estimation process, and requires sophisticated commissioning strategies in order to permit the complete identification of the relatively large parameter set. The alternative is to use a simpler model structure and update the parameters with sufficient speed on-line in order to compensate for the inherently larger structural error. In this thesis the latter method is considered and preferred, as it has a greater robustness to unforeseen system behaviour and is more compatible with existing control strategies. As a consequence of the simple estimator the identification scheme has to compensate for the considerable structural errors. To this end the strategy of full parameter set identification is described. Work has also been done, and is presented, concerning on-line parameter identification using genetic optimisation techniques, which are shown to be well suited to this type of problem. The first studies of modelling and parameter extraction were concerned with dc machines, for these were thought to be simpler to model and to understand. DC machines are also different, in that the simple model includes mechanical parameters, and so represents a more complete system than the models of the ac machine studied later. A number of standard, enhanced and novel parameter identification methods are analysed and implemented on a practical machine and drive test bench. Also included were state estimators, intended to permit speed-sensorless control; however, the limitations on the experimental rig, based as it was around a commercially available drive, meant that some of the testing had to be done by running the estimator off-line, using data recorded from actual runs as the input. The thesis is primarily concerned with the induction machine and specifically the parameters required to permit field and speed sensorless rotor field orientated vector control. Sufficient work was done to allow a preliminary experimental comparison of a number of algorithms. At this stage it appears that several of these could be developed into successful drives, the precise choice depending on the specific application.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Engineering Degree, Department of Electronic Engineering, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / The aim of this research project is to design a three phase four quadrant variable speed drive (VSD) for a permanent magnet brushless direct current motor (PMBLDC) that can be applied to an electric bicycle (e-bike). The design is confined to PMBLDC motors with a maximum power rating of 1.5kW. The speed controller operates in current mode at a maximum voltage and current rating of 50V and 30A, respectively. The VSD has the ability to smoothly control the current delivered to the DC motor and therefore controls its torque. The motor’s current is limited in all four quadrants of operation, and its speed is limited in the forward and reverse directions. The performance of the proposed DC motor VSD system is tested on an electric- bicycle. The PMBLDC motor has three hall sensors embedded into the stator to determine rotor position. A phase switcher module interprets the position signals and produces a switching pattern. This effectively transforms the BLDC motor into a direct current (DC) brushed motor. The unipolar switching scheme used ensures that current flows out of the battery only for motoring operation and into the battery during regenerative braking. The current and torque are directly proportional in a BLDC motor. Torque control is achieved in the BLDC motor using a single channel current controller. The phase switcher current is monitored and used to control the duty cycle of the synchronous converter switches. The proposed e-bike speed control system provides efficient control in all four quadrants of operation and it is a suitable alternative for a low cost transportation mode. / M

Research report to School of Electrical and Information Engineering / An investigation was conducted into how a variable speed drive can provide a damping torque when mechanical oscillations are present. The modeling of mechanical oscillations via an analogous electrical circuit was performed. Simulation was used to demonstrate how a variable speed drive is able to damp speed oscillations using Direct Torque Control (DTC). Damping of mechanical oscillations is done by means of the variable speed drive providing a damping torque component that is in-phase with the speed deviation. The simulation showed that by applying a small torque component with the speed variation results in torque oscillations being damped by 60% after the initial disturbance. Damping is further improved by applying a torque component equal to the speed variation resulting in the oscillations being damped by 80% when compared to the initial disturbance. / MT2017

This thesis presents both an analysis and simulations of a passively controlled variable-speed generator system, which can be applied for renewable energy sources such as wind turbines. Parallel connected passive/external resistors and inductors are connected to the slip rings of a wound rotor induction machine to provide an acceptable speed operation range, while maintaining high efficiency of the generator system. Two generators, of 80 kW and 186 kW ratings, have been tested and compared to their simulations and good correlation has been obtained. It is shown by both modelling and by laboratory tests that the steady-state power characteristic is well suited to the application and the efficiency compares well with similar rated machines in which either a fixed speed is required or power electronic converters provide the adjustable speed control. Thus, the tested systems are comparable in energy capture while being lower in costs and being both more robust and more reliable. In consequence, it is a more practical solution than power electronics for remote locations. The dynamic results indicate that the generator is dynamically stable following three types of transient conditions: connections to the grid at non-synchronous speed; sudden decreases and increases in applied torque to simulate wind gusts; cyclic torque changes to demonstrate tower shadow effects. Unreasonable transients and undamped conditions have been neither predicted nor observed. Finally, it is proposed that the external elements could be developed to be linked to the rotor circuit without slip rings enabling a complete passive and brushless system. / Graduation date: 2000

A new and improved stabilizer was developed for the variable speed generation (VSG) system. The VSG system exhibits periodic oscillations which sometimes leads to a loss of synchronism. After careful study, a simple but effective strategy to stabilize the system was implemented with real time digital feedback control. The VSG system consists of an engine, which is the prime mover, driving a doubly fed machine (DFM), which is the generator. The stator of the DFM is directly connected to the grid while the rotor is connected to the grid through a power electronic converter. The converter used in this study is a series resonance converter (SRC), but the proposed method may also be applied to other kinds of converters. The stabilizer senses the RPM of the engine, the feedback signal, and controls the rotor current amplitude and frequency of the doubly fed machine. Control was implemented using the 80C196KB microcontroller. The software consists of a mix of "C" and assembly language. Speed being an important factor in the implementation, care was taken to minimize the control loop times. The important features of the hardware and software developed for the stabilizer are: (1) 12 MHz controller board (2) Real time digital band pass filter (3) Instantaneous rotor speed measurement (4) Interrupt driven measurement and control loops (5) User defined setup parameters (6) IBM PC based real time serial communication The performance of the VSG system was studied with and without the stabilizer. A significant improvement in the stability of the system was noticed over the entire region of operation. / Graduation date: 1991

This thesis describes work that has been carried out to develop a scaled down laboratory test bed for use in the optimisation of fan driven air ventilation systems found at the various Anglo Coal South African mines. The present system involved in the movement of air underground comprises a fixed speed centrifugal fan driven damper controlled system. National Power Contractors (NPC) together with the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) proposed a variable speed automated controlled system, but the costs of installing Variable Speed Drives (VSD) and their impact on the energy consumption of a system prior to being installed are important. In addition deliverables required by the industrial partner NPC was to develop a calibrated simulation model where any fan system could be simulated showing potential energy savings. A test bed was therefore constructed to evaluate the power usage of a VSD while driving a simulated fan. The test bed comprised of two Field Oriented Controlled induction machines. A ventilation system at Anglo Coal’s Vlaklaagte colliery was proposed to be simulated by the test bed to develop the Measurement and Verification (M&V) methodology required to represent a business case, but since data from this fan system was not available two other fan systems were studied. One fan system was built at the UKZN whilst the other industrial fan system was at Anglo Coal’s Greenside colliery. / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.