Jian-Xin Shen, Dong-Min Miao and Mengjia Jin
The purpose of this paper is to focus on various control strategies for permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) systems, in order to stabilize the dc link output voltage…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to focus on various control strategies for permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) systems, in order to stabilize the dc link output voltage over a wide operation speed range.
Design/methodology/approach
Two control methods, namely, the flux regulation control (FRC) which adjusts the stator flux linkage and then indirectly stabilize the dc link voltage, and the direct voltage control (DVC) which directly stabilize the dc link voltage by regulating the power angle, are proposed in this paper. Both methods can be realized by either approach of the conventional space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) or the proposed single voltage vector modulation (SVVM).
Findings
The FRC can optimize the field in the PMSG, however, the realization is complicated. The DVC need not estimate and regulate the stator flux linkage, hence is easy to implement. On the other hand, the SVPWM can provide smooth armature current and dc link voltage, while the SVVM applies only one voltage vector during each control cycle, hence, is simple to realize and requires the minimum switching on the PWM rectifier. All cross-combinations between the two control methods and the two realization approaches work well.
Originality/value
The proposed FRC and DVC methods are simpler than the conventional field oriented control, while the proposed SVVM is a novel and efficient approach to generate the PWM status. Optimal cross-combination, either of SVPWM-FRC, SVVM-FRC, SVPWM-DVC and SVVM-DVC, can be chosen to satisfy the system characters and requirements.
Details
Keywords
Senthilkumaran Mahadevan, Siddharth Raju and Ranganath Muthu
The high-frequency common-mode voltage introduced by power converters, using conventional modulation techniques, results in common-mode current that has the potential to cause…
Abstract
Purpose
The high-frequency common-mode voltage introduced by power converters, using conventional modulation techniques, results in common-mode current that has the potential to cause physical damage to the shaft and bearings of electric drives as well as unwanted tripping of ground fault relays in motor drives and electrical networks. The paper aims to provide a complete elimination of common mode voltage using a matrix converter (MC) with a new modulation strategy that reduces the size of the power converter system considerably. Further, a new MC topology is proposed to eliminate the common mode voltage with improved voltage transfer ratio (VTR).
Design/methodology/approach
The direct MC topology is selected, as it is the only converter topology that has the potential to eliminate common mode voltage in direct AC to AC systems. Using the rotating space vector technique, common mode voltage is eliminated but this reduces the VTR of the converter. To improve the VTR, a modified MC topology with a modified rotating space vector strategy is proposed. In addition, for improving the power factor at the input, the input current control strategy is developed.
Findings
The use of rotating space vector technique eliminates the common mode voltage even under all input abnormalities like unbalance and harmonics. By applying positive and negative rotating space vectors, input power factor control can be achieved. However, the control range is limited from unity power factor to the output power factor. It is observed that in the current controlled technique the modulation index reduces further. It is also found that there is a reduction in switching stresses of individual switches in proposed topology compared to direct MC topology.
Originality/value
In this paper, a modified rotating space vector technique is applied to the proposed converter topology for elimination of common mode voltage with an increased VTR. The topology can be used for common mode voltage elimination in existing electric drives without the need for modifying the drive system.
Details
Keywords
The aim of this paper is to improve and adapt cascaded multilevel converters for electric vehicles (EVs) to have all the advantages of these converters and to eliminate its…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to improve and adapt cascaded multilevel converters for electric vehicles (EVs) to have all the advantages of these converters and to eliminate its limitation in the use of EVs applications. Specifically, the purpose is to use only a single power source (battery pack, fuel cell, etc.) and to generate a higher power‐quality than regular multilevel converters.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is based in a cascaded multilevel converter conformed by two 3‐level inverters connected in series. The voltage sources of the auxiliary inverter were replaced by floating capacitors which work as active filters, reducing the power sources to one. The floating capacitor voltages were controlled by a PI controller that adjusts the modulation index (m) to obtain a zero average power in the auxiliary inverters, and a predictive control selects the optimal redundant state to reduce the error and balance all the capacitor voltages. As the modulation index is determined by the PI controller, the output voltage magnitude must be controlled by a variable voltage source (e.g. buck‐boost chopper). Additionally, the converter works with new optimal voltage asymmetries to obtain higher power quality and capacitor control stability.
Findings
The proposed converter uses a topology that conventionally generates 9‐levels of voltage, but with the proposed asymmetry is as generate 11‐levels. Also, the auxiliary power sources were eliminated.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed solution has a limited dynamic response due to the variation rate of the capacitor voltage, which is limited by the load current and the capacitance. However, the dynamic response and control stability is satisfactory for EVs applications.
Originality/value
The paper presents a new control to manage the floating capacitor voltages and uses new voltage asymmetries in cascaded multilevel converters.
Details
Keywords
Chinnaraj Gnanavel and Kumarasamy Vanchinathan
These implementations not only generate excessive voltage levels to enhance the quality of power but also include a detailed investigating of the various modulation methods and…
Abstract
Purpose
These implementations not only generate excessive voltage levels to enhance the quality of power but also include a detailed investigating of the various modulation methods and control schemes for multilevel inverter (MLI) topologies. Reduced harmonic modulation technology is used to produce 11-level output voltage with the production of renewable energy applications. The simulation is done in the MATLAB/Simulink for 11-level symmetric MLI and is correlated with the conventional inverter design.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is focused on investigating the different types of asymmetric, symmetric and hybrid topologies and control methods used for the modular multilevel inverter (MMI) operation. Classical MLI configurations are affected by performance issues such as poor power quality, uneconomic structure and low efficiency.
Findings
The variations in both carrier and reference signals and their performance are analyzed for the proposed inverter topologies. The simulation result compares unipolar and bipolar pulse-width modulation (PWM) techniques with total harmonic distortion (THD) results. The solar-fed 11-level MMI is controlled using various modulation strategies, which are connected to marine emergency lighting loads. Various modulation techniques are used to control the solar-fed 11-level MMI, which is connected to marine emergency lighting loads. The entire hardware system is controlled by using SPARTAN 3A field programmable gate array (FPGA) board and the least harmonics are obtained by improving the power quality.
Originality/value
The simulation result compares unipolar and bipolar PWM techniques with THD results. Various modulation techniques are used to control the solar-fed 11-level MMI, which is connected to marine emergency lighting loads. The entire hardware system is controlled by a SPARTAN 3A field programmable gate array (FPGA) board, and the power quality is improved to achieve the lowest harmonics possible.
Details
Keywords
Shuo Liu, Baoming Ge, Xinjian Jiang, Haitham Abu-Rub and Fangzheng Peng
– The paper aims to propose a new type of three-phase quasi-Z-source indirect matrix converter (QZSIMC) to extend the voltage gain for application in the induction motor drives.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to propose a new type of three-phase quasi-Z-source indirect matrix converter (QZSIMC) to extend the voltage gain for application in the induction motor drives.
Design/methodology/approach
A unique H-shape quasi-Z-source network is connected between the three-phase voltage source and traditional indirect matrix converter to achieve the voltage boost and buck in a single-stage power conversion. The complete space vector modulation (SVM) method is proposed to control the proposed QZSIMC. The output voltage amplitude of quasi-Z-source network can be boosted by the shoot-through of the front-end rectifier, so the whole system's voltage gain is extended. Meanwhile, the QZSIMC modeling and quasi-Z-source impedance parameter design are developed by using the state space averaging method. The design-oriented analysis based on small signal model is used to investigate the quasi-Z-source impedance parameter's impact on the QZSIMC's dynamic performance. A simulated application example employs a 4-kW induction motor drive to verify the proposed QZSIMC, the developed modulation method and parameter design method.
Findings
The proposed QZSIMC can achieve high voltage gain larger than one and also can fulfill buck function, which widens the induction motor drive's operation range. The simulation results verify the proposed QZSIMC and SVM and also validate the quality performance of the proposed induction motor drive and all theoretical analysis and parameter design method.
Originality/value
The proposed QZSIMC effectively overcomes the limitation of traditional indirect matrix converter, through extending the voltage gain larger than one. The systematic principle, analysis, parameter design, and simulation verification provide the proposed QZSIMC with a feasible approach in practical induction motor drive applications.
Details
Keywords
Yifeng Zhu, Ziyang Zhang, Hailong Zhao and Shaoling Li
Five-level rectifiers have received widespread attention because of their excellent performance in high-voltage and high-power applications. Taking a five-level rectifier with…
Abstract
Purpose
Five-level rectifiers have received widespread attention because of their excellent performance in high-voltage and high-power applications. Taking a five-level rectifier with only four-IGBT for this study, a sliding mode predictive control (SMPC) algorithm is proposed to solve the problem of poor dynamic performance and poor anti-disturbance ability under the traditional model predictive control with the PI outer loop.
Design/methodology/approach
First, mathematical models under the two-phase stationary coordinate system and two-phase synchronous rotating coordinate system are established. Then, the design of the outer-loop sliding mode controller is completed by establishing the sliding mode surface and design approach rate. The design of the inner-loop model predictive controller was completed by discretizing the mathematical model equations. The modulation part uses a space vector modulation technique to generate the PWM wave.
Findings
The sliding mode predictive control strategy is compared with the control strategy with a PI outer loop and a model predictive inner loop. The proposed control strategy has a faster dynamic response and stronger anti-interference ability.
Originality/value
For the five-level rectifier, the advantages of fast dynamic influence and parameter insensitivity of sliding mode control are used in the voltage outer loop to replace the traditional PI control, and which is integrated with the model predictive control used in the current inner loop to form a novel control strategy with a faster dynamic response and stronger immunity to disturbances. This novel strategy is called sliding mode predictive control (SMC).
Details
Keywords
Mingxiao Dai, Xu Peng, Xiao Liang, Xinyu Zhu, Xiaohan Liu, Xijun Liu, Pengcheng Han and Chao Wu
The purpose of this paper is to propose a DC-port voltage balance strategy realizing it by logic combination modulation (LCM). This voltage balance strategy is brief and high…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a DC-port voltage balance strategy realizing it by logic combination modulation (LCM). This voltage balance strategy is brief and high efficient, which can be used in many power electronic devices adopting the cascaded H-bridge rectifier (CHBR) such as power electronic transformer (PET).
Design/methodology/approach
The CHBR is typically as a core component in the power electronic devices to implement the voltage or current conversion. The modulation method presented here is aiming to solve the voltage imbalance problem occurred in the CHBR with more stable work station and higher reliability in ordinary operating conditions. In particular, by changing the switch states smoothly and quickly, the DC-port voltage can be controlled as the ideal value even one of the modules in CHBR is facing the load-removed problem.
Findings
By using the voltage balance strategy of LCM, the problem of voltage imbalance occurring in three-phase cascaded rectifiers has been solved properly. With the lower modulation depth, the efficiency of the strategy is shown to be better and stronger. The strategy can work reliably and quickly no matter facing the problem as load-removed change or the ordinary operating conditions.
Research limitations/implications
The limitation of the proposed DC-port voltage balance strategy is calculated and proved, in a three-module CHBR, the LCM could balance the DC-port voltage while one module facing the load-removed situation under 0.83 modulation depth.
Originality/value
This paper provides a useful and particular voltage balance strategy which can be used in the topology of three-phase cascaded rectifier. The value of the strategy is that a brief and reliable voltage balance method in the power electronic devices can be achieved. What is more, facing the problem, such as load-removed, in outport, the strategy can response quickly with no switch jump and switch frequency rising.
Details
Keywords
Subhendu Bikash Santra and Subodh Kumar Mohanty
The purpose of this study is to present a new methodology of selective harmonics elimination (SHE) technique suitable for single-phase photovoltaic (PV) tied pulse width modulated…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to present a new methodology of selective harmonics elimination (SHE) technique suitable for single-phase photovoltaic (PV) tied pulse width modulated (PWM) inverter.
Design/methodology/approach
In the proposed SHE, switching angles for inverter control are determined offline through numerical techniques and stored in a microcontroller memory as a function of modulation index (md). The methodology uses the solution that leads to a lower change of switching angles from the previous modulation index (md) for storing in the processor memory for multiple solutions. This leads to a smaller number of sections when a piecewise mixed model is considered for storing the entire switching angle curve for the online inverter control. The proposed idea is simulated and experimentally validated on a laboratory prototype of PV (500 W) grid-tied PWM inverter. The control environment is then realized in NI c-RIO 9082.
Findings
This proposed technique is suitable for limiting voltage total harmonics distortion (THD) in single-phase PV tied grid connected voltage source inverter (VSI). Moreover, it is found that filter (L-C) size requirement is less.
Originality/value
The proposed SHE with piecewise mixed model technique effectively reduces voltage THD with less filter size (L-C) in a single-phase PV-tied system.
Details
Keywords
Md Tariquzzaman, Md Habibullah and Amit Kumer Podder
Maintaining a balanced neutral point, reducing power loss, execution time are important criteria for the controlling of neutral point clamped (NPC) inverter. However, it is tough…
Abstract
Purpose
Maintaining a balanced neutral point, reducing power loss, execution time are important criteria for the controlling of neutral point clamped (NPC) inverter. However, it is tough to meet all the challenges and also supplying the load current within the harmonic limit. This paper aims to maintain load current quality within the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 519 standard and meet the above-mentioned challenges.
Design/methodology/approach
The output load current of a three-level simplified neutral point clamped (3 L-SNPC) inverter is controlled in this paper using model predictive control (MPC). The 3 L-SNPC inverters is considered because fewer semiconductor devices are used in this topology; this will enhance the reliability of the system. MPC is used as a controller because it can handle the direct current-link capacitors’ voltage balancing problem in a very intuitive way. The proposed 3 L-SNPC yields similar current total harmonic distortion (THD), transient and steady-state responses, voltage stress and over current protection capability as the conventional NPC inverter. To reduce the computational burden of the proposed SNPC system, two simplified MPC strategies are proposed, namely, single voltage vector prediction-based MPC and selective voltage vector prediction-based MPC.
Findings
The system shows a current THD of 2.33% at 8.96 kHz. The overall loss of the system is reduced significantly to be useful in medium power applications. The required execution times for the simplified MPC strategies are tested on the hardware dSPACE 1104 platform. It is found that the single voltage vector prediction-based MPC and the selective voltage vector prediction-based MPC are computationally efficient by 8.28% and 62.9%, respectively, in comparison with the conventional MPC-based conventional NPC system.
Originality/value
Multiple system constraints are considered throughout the paper and also compare the SNPC to the conventional NPC inverter. Proper current tracking, over-current protection, overall power loss reduction especially switching loss and maintaining capacitor voltages balance at a neutral point are achieved. The improvement of execution time has also been verified and calculated using hardware-in-loop of the dSPACE DS1104 platform.
Details
Keywords
This paper presents analytical and experimental results that quantify the performance of an induction motor fed by a space‐vector pulse width modulated four‐switch (B4) voltage…
Abstract
This paper presents analytical and experimental results that quantify the performance of an induction motor fed by a space‐vector pulse width modulated four‐switch (B4) voltage source inverter. First, as voltage vectors in the inverter form unsymmetrical sequences, the discrete Fourier transform is used to express the voltage vectors in symmetrical form. Second, by using a mixed p‐z approach for every voltage vector sequence, we can derive a closed‐form solution, including steady‐state and transient components of the motor currents. From the motor currents, we can derive an analytical equation for the electromagnetic torque. Both the steady‐state and transient components of the motor currents are determined in a simple and lucid analytical form, which avoids involved matrix inversion as well as exponentiation. The theoretical considerations are verified on an experimental unit.