Voltage Source Converter (VSC) applications include but are not limited to HVDC, Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) devices such as STATCOM, SSSC, UPFC and Wind generators and active filters. The VSC based HVDC system is a feasible option for bulk power transmission over long or short distances and the grid integration of renewable energy sources in existing transmission and distribution systems. The main requirement in a power transmission system is the precise control of active and reactive power flow to maintain the system voltage stability. The VSC operating with the specified vector control strategy can perform independent control of active/reactive power at both ends. This ability of VSC makes it suitable for connection to weak AC networks or even dead networks i.e. without local voltage sources. For power reversal, the DC voltage polarity remains the same for VSC based transmission system and the power transfer depends only on the direction of the DC current. This is advantageous when compared to the conventional Current Source Converter (CSC) based HVDC system. Furthermore, in case of VSC, the reactive power flow can be bi-directional depending on the AC network operating conditions. In this thesis, a 3-phase, 2-level, 6-switch VSC connected to an active but weak AC system at both ends of the HVDC link is developed using EMTP-RV. The VSC-HVDC transmission system model is developed using both direct control and vector control techniques. The direct control method is an approximate method in which the active power, AC voltages at both ends of HVDC link and DC link voltage are controlled directly by using PI-controllers. In vector control method, closed loop feed-forward control system is used to control the active power, reactive power at both ends and DC voltage. By comparing the simulation results, it is concluded that the vector control method is superior to the direct control because of the removal of the coupling between control variables to achieve the independent control of active and reactive powers at both ends of the HVDC link. / UOIT

This dissertation presents a dynamic reconfigurable control strategy based on the Direct Machining And Control (DMAC) research at Brigham Young University. A reconfigurable framework is proposed which will allow a machine tool to be controlled by a variety of applications and control laws. This Reconfigurable Mechanism for Application Control (RMAC) paradigm uses a hierarchical architecture to configure a mechanism into a device driver for direct control by an application like CAD/CAM. The RMAC paradigm is one of a mechanism device driver assigned to each mechanism class or model, and uses only the master model to control the mechanism. The traditional M&G code language is no longer necessary since motion entities are passed directly to the mechanism. The design strategy of using dynamic-link libraries (DLL) to form a mechanism device driver permits a mechanism to assume different operating configurations, depending on the number of axes and machine resolution. For example, the machine can perform as a material removal machine in one instant, and then, by loading a new device driver, act as a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM). This strategy is possible because RMAC is a software and networked-based control architecture. Both the CAD/CAM planning software and the real-time control software reside on the same PC. The CAM process plan can thus directly control the machine without need for process plan decomposition into the forms supported by the controller. The architectural framework is explained in detail and the methodology for control software reconfiguration into a device driver is presented. For demonstration purposes two device drivers are implemented on a prototype machine to demonstrate feasibility and usefulness.

Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefits(GMWB) have become popular riders on variable annuities. The pricing of a GMWB contract was originally formulated as a singular stochastic control problem which results in a Hamilton Jacobi Bellman (HJB) Variational Inequality (VI). A penalty method method can then be used to solve the HJB VI. We present a rigorous proof of convergence of the penalty method to the viscosity solution of the HJB VI assuming the underlying asset follows a Geometric Brownian Motion. A direct control method is an alternative formulation for the HJB VI. We also extend the HJB VI to the case of where the underlying asset follows a Poisson jump diffusion. The HJB VI is normally solved numerically by an implicit method, which gives rise to highly nonlinear discretized algebraic equations. The classic policy iteration approach works well for the Geometric Brownian Motion case. However it is not efficient in some circumstances such as when the underlying asset follows a Poisson jump diffusion process. We develop a combined fixed point policy iteration scheme which significantly increases the efficiency of solving the discretized equations. Sufficient conditions to ensure the convergence of the combined fixed point policy iteration scheme are derived both for the penalty method and direct control method. The GMWB formulated as a singular control problem has a special structure which results in a block matrix fixed point policy iteration converging about one order of magnitude faster than a full matrix fixed point policy iteration. Sufficient conditions for convergence of the block matrix fixed point policy iteration are derived. Estimates for bounds on the penalty parameter (penalty method) and scaling parameter (direct control method) are obtained so that convergence of the iteration can be expected in the presence of round-off error.

Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefits(GMWB) have become popular riders on variable annuities. The pricing of a GMWB contract was originally formulated as a singular stochastic control problem which results in a Hamilton Jacobi Bellman (HJB) Variational Inequality (VI). A penalty method method can then be used to solve the HJB VI. We present a rigorous proof of convergence of the penalty method to the viscosity solution of the HJB VI assuming the underlying asset follows a Geometric Brownian Motion. A direct control method is an alternative formulation for the HJB VI. We also extend the HJB VI to the case of where the underlying asset follows a Poisson jump diffusion. The HJB VI is normally solved numerically by an implicit method, which gives rise to highly nonlinear discretized algebraic equations. The classic policy iteration approach works well for the Geometric Brownian Motion case. However it is not efficient in some circumstances such as when the underlying asset follows a Poisson jump diffusion process. We develop a combined fixed point policy iteration scheme which significantly increases the efficiency of solving the discretized equations. Sufficient conditions to ensure the convergence of the combined fixed point policy iteration scheme are derived both for the penalty method and direct control method. The GMWB formulated as a singular control problem has a special structure which results in a block matrix fixed point policy iteration converging about one order of magnitude faster than a full matrix fixed point policy iteration. Sufficient conditions for convergence of the block matrix fixed point policy iteration are derived. Estimates for bounds on the penalty parameter (penalty method) and scaling parameter (direct control method) are obtained so that convergence of the iteration can be expected in the presence of round-off error.

Ce travail de thèse a pour objectifs l'observation et la commande des convertisseurs multi-niveaux et la commande des machines synchrones. Pour satisfaire le besoin des clients de l’entreprise GS Maintenance et pour des raisons de maintenance, une commande en courant de la machine synchrone est implémentée expérimentalement. L'accent est mis sur le démarrage de ce type de machines car durant ces phases de fonctionnement (basses vitesses), les forces électromotrices sont faibles pour assurer la commutation des thyristors de l'onduleur. Ensuite, l'entreprise a proposé à ses clients un convertisseur statique en moyenne tension afin de garder sa place dans la variation de vitesse. Dans ce cadre, une commande en tension moderne de la machine synchrone alimentée par un onduleur de tension est proposée et validée par des résultats de simulation. Compte tenu du fonctionnement en moyenne tension, les convertisseurs multi-niveaux ont été retenus par l’entreprise. Dans ce cadre, le convertisseur multicellulaire série est proposé dans ce travail et une commande directe basée sur la théorie des modes glissants et le principe de priorité est conçue pour assurer l'équilibrage des tensions flottantes du convertisseur. Cette commande a été généralisée pour un nombre quelconque de cellules du convertisseur et validée par des résultats de simulation pour un nombre de cellules égal à 7. Pour réduire le coût et l'encombrement du convertisseur, un observateur adaptatif des tensions flottantes est proposé en prenant en compte les états de commutation du convertisseur. Cet observateur est ensuite associé à la commande directe en boucle fermée. Un banc d'essai du convertisseur à 3 cellules est réalisé au sein de l’entreprise et l’ensemble « observateur + commande directe » est testé expérimentalement sur ce banc. / This PhD thesis aims to the observation and control of multilevel converters and the synchronous machines control. To satisfy the needs of GS Maintenance's customers and for maintenance reasons, a control strategy for a current fed self controlled synchronous machine is validated by experiments tests. The proposed strategy focus on a very low speed because the machine counter electromotive force is insufficient for inverter thyristors switching. Recently, the company proposed for its customers a power converter with medium voltage to keep its place in the speed variation. So, a modern voltage control of the synchronous machine fed by a voltage inverter is proposed and validated by simulation results. Medium voltage operation encouraged the company to choose the multi-level converter. Then, the flying capacitor converter is proposed in this work and a direct control based on the sliding mode theory and the priority principle is designed to guarantee the voltage balance. This control strategy has been generalized for any number of cells of the converter and validated by simulation results for a 7 cells converter. To reduce the cost and complexity of the converter, an adaptive observer floating voltages is proposed by taking into account the switching states of the converter. This observer is then associated with the direct control in closed loop. A test bench of a 3 cells converter is set up in the company. Experimental tests of « observer based direct control » are then conducted on this test bench.

For some time now coordinate measuring machines have been an integral part of the shop floor. The goal has been to make coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) into tools that can easily be used by machinists to improve their manufacturing capabilities. The value of a CMM as a quality control tool is undisputed. Now efforts are being made to further reduce the time and cost of measurement by reducing the physical distance between machining and measuring processes. The ability to reduce that distance to zero and measure a part directly on the chip-making machine has been a goal for many years. Dimensional inspection of parts is primarily conducted by coordinate measuring machines operating on motion instructions from task planning software. The research in direct machining and control (DMAC) at BYU has identified a potential application of CMM technologies on existing machine tools. To prove that a machine tool can be controlled as a CMM with the DMAC controller, this research will integrate the software package PC-DMIS provided by Wilcox Associates, Inc. with a DMAC controller provided by Direct Controls, Inc. to conduct in-process dimensional inspection of parts as they are being machined. This process is referred to as DirectCMM because it will link the DMAC controller directly to PC-DMIS without need for post-processing. This thesis will lay the groundwork for future efforts at developing systems that utilize in-process part inspection to dynamically correct computer aided manufacturing (CAM) process plans. To aid future efforts at dynamic CAM process updating, a software interface specification will be created for passing measurement data between CMM and CAD/CAM software packages. A CMM control specification will also be created to provide a standard method for controlling coordinate measuring machines with the DMAC controller. Possible methods for dynamic CAD/CAM updating will be explored.

Dans ce travail de thèse, réalisé dans le cadre d'une bourse CIFRE entre le laboratoire ECS-Lab et l'entreprise GS Maintenance, nous nous sommes intéressés au contrôle et à l'observation des systèmes électriques, particulièrement les convertisseur multicellulaires séries et les moteurs à courant continu série.Dans la topologie des convertisseurs multicellulaires il est nécessaire d'équilibrer les tensions des condensateurs flottants à des valeurs spécifiques. Les techniques de commande par Modulation de Largeur d'Impulsions (MLI) permettent cet équilibrage, mais favorisent les dynamiques lentes. De plus, si le nombre de cellules est non premier, il existe des rapport cycliques qui déstabilisent le convertisseur. Afin de pallier à ces inconvénients, dans la première partie de la thèse des commandes directes basées sur les modes glissants sont proposées pour le convertisseur multicellulaire série à deux et trois cellules. Ces commandes sont simples et permettent une dynamique rapide, pouvant être étendues à des convertisseurs à nombre de cellules quelconque. Ces commandes sont testées en simulation et expérimentalement via un système temps réel dSpace sur un convertisseur multicellulaire à deux et trois cellules réalisé au cours de cette thèse au sein du laboratoire ECS-Lab. Il est important de souligner qu'une version industrielle du convertisseur a été réalisée au sein de l'entreprise GS Maintenance et vendue à l'Université du Qatar.Par ailleurs, dans le cadre de l'application du convertisseur multicellulaire une commande par modes glissants de type Zig-Zag est proposée pour pallier aux problèmes de quantification et saturation des actionneurs.La deuxième partie du travail a été consacrée à la synthèse d'un observateur/estimateur de type super-twisting pour estimer la vitesse d'un moteur à courant continu série sans capteur mécanique. La stratégie d'observation proposée est dédiée à une application industrielle qui concerne le forage pétrolier. Elle permet d'apporter une solution au problème d'observation généré par le fonctionnement à zéro ou faible courant. Cette stratégie a été testée sur un banc expérimental développé au cours de cette thèse au sein de l'entreprise GS Maintenance. / In this thesis , conducted in the context of a grant CIFRE between laboratory ECS-Lab and the company GS Maintenance, we focused on the control and observation of electrical systems, particularly multicellular converter series and the series DC motor.The floating voltages of the multicell topology need to be balanced to specific values. PWM control techniques provide such a balance but favor the slow dynamics. Moreover, if the numbers of cells is not prime, there exist duty-cycles which could destabilize the converter. To overcome these drawbacks, we propose direct control strategies based on sliding mode techniques for 2 and 3-cell converters. These are simple, allow fast dynamics, and can be easily extended to any number of cell with little overhead. They have been tested in simulation and experimentally via a real-time dSpace board on a 2 and 3-cell converter develloped during this thesis at ECS-Lab. It is important to emphasize that an industrial version of the converter has been manufactured at GS Maintenance and sold to Qatar University.Moreover, in the context of the appication of multicell converters, a Zig-Zag sliding mode control law has been proposed to overcome quantization and saturation problems found in real actuators.The second part of this work adresses the synthetization of an super-twistign observer/estimator scheme to estimate the speed of a sensorless DC series motor. The proposed observation strategy is dedicated to an industrial application in the context of oil drilling. It provides a solution to the problem of observation generated by operating at zero or low current. This strategy has been tested on an experimental bench developed in this thesis within GS Maintenance.

Les entraînements électriques polyphasés ont acquis une importance particulière ces derniers temps pour leur utilisation dans des applications où la fiabilité présente un intérêt pour des raisons économiques et de sécurité. Cette thèse se centre sur le développement de techniques de commande en mode instantané pour contrôler de manière optimale les machines polyphasées, en analysant leur tolérance dans différentes conditions de fonctionnement, telles que lors de l’atteinte de limites électriques (limites de tension, de courant et de niveau maximum de magnétisation) ou de défauts de type phase ouverte. Tout d’abord, la technique DTC est proposée pour gérer le cas de défaut de type phase ouverte dans la machine polyphasée. Une comparaison de la tolérance à la défaillance des commandes de type DTC par rapport à d’autres techniques de commande est réalisée, permettant une conclusion sur les forces et les faiblesses des méthodes analysées. Enfin, un contrôleur de courant optimal est développé utilisant des techniques MPC permettant une utilisation optimale de la capacité de couple du système en cas de limitations électriques. Des résultats de simulation et des validations expérimentales sont effectués pour corroborer les approches initiales, en utilisant des cas particuliers d’entraînements pentaphasés commandés avec différents sous-espaces de commande dans le domaine fréquentiel. / Multiphase drives have gained special relevance in recent times for their use in applications where reliability is of interest for economical and safety reasons. This Thesis focuses on the development of direct control techniques to optimally control multiphase machines, analyzing their tolerance to different limit operating conditions, such as electrical constraints (voltage, current and magnetization level limits) or failure situations such as an open-phase fault. First, the DTC technique is proposed to manage the open-phase fault operation of the multiphase machine. A comparison of the fault-tolerant capability of DTC with other control techniques is carried out, to conclude the strengths and weaknesses of the analyzed methods facing this limit operation. Finally, an optimal current controller is developed using MPC techniques that allows the optimal utilization of the system’s torque capability under electrical limitations. Simulation results and experimental validations are obtained to corroborate the initial approaches, through the use of particular cases of five-phase drives controlled using different frequency-domain control subspaces.

Direct Machining And Control (DMAC) is a new method of controlling machine tools directly from process planning software. A motion planning module is developed for the DMAC system that operates directly off path geometry without pre-tessellation. The motion planner is developed with the intent to process Bezier curves. The motion planning module includes a deterministic predictor-corrector-type curve interpolator, a dynamics limiting module, and a two-pass jerk-limited speed profiling algorithm. The methods are verified by machining an automotive surface in a clay medium and evaluating the resultant machine dynamics, feed rate, and chordal error throughout the machining process.