Sensorless Control of AC Motors
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Nottingham
Department Name: Div of Electrical Systems and Optics
Abstract
At present, commercial variable speed drives require a shaft mounted speed sensor to operate accurately at zero and low speeds. The operation of the drive at zero and low speeds deteriorates significantly if no speed sensor is used. A new technique for sensorless control of variable speed ac motor drives has been researched in EPSRC Grant EP/D069017/1. The technique provides accurate control of motor speed, position and load, even at zero and very low speeds, without the need for a shaft mounted speed sensor.The aim of the work described in this proposal is to demonstrate that this new technique is flexible and robust enough to enhance and upgrade the performance of commercial variable speed ac motor drives, . The specific objective is to ensure that the technique can be applied to a wide range of different ac motors (from different motor manufacturers) and that the inverter can setup its control parameters automatically if appropriate. This plug and play , high performance sensorless control will allow the inverter to be used for a variety of new applications and for a wide range of power ratings. Before potential licensees are willing to invest in the technology, it is crucial to demonstrate that it can be used in plug and play mode with any ac motor. The technical work package within this Follow-on fund will deliver this proof thereby making successful commercialisation possible.
Organisations
- University of Nottingham (Lead Research Organisation)
- Control Techniques Drives Ltd (Collaboration)
- Smiths Aerospace Electronic Systems - Southampton (Collaboration)
- Baldwin and Francis (Collaboration)
- TRW Automotive (Collaboration)
- Emerson (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Parker SSD Drives (Project Partner)
People |
ORCID iD |
Mark Sumner (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Arellano-Padilla J
(2010)
Inductance characteristics of PMSMs and their impact on saliency-based sensorless control
Kamel Saleh
(2010)
Commissioning for Saliency based Sensorless Drives
Giangrande P
(2011)
Analysis of two-part rotor, axial flux permanent magnet machines
Bottomley J
(2012)
Electrical machine design for optimal self- sensing properties of SPMSMs
Arellano-Padilla J
(2012)
Prediction of inductance characteristics of PMSMs in saliency-based sensorless control
Gao Q
(2013)
Implementation of sensorless control of induction machines using only fundamental PWM waveforms of a two-level converter
in IET Power Electronics
Description | Control of electrical machines usually requires a shaft mounted device (encoder) to measure shaft speed and position for precise control. these reduce reliability and increase system cost. Encoderless drives are available which employ complex mathematical models of the machine to estimate shaft position from measurements of current and voltage, however they require accurate knowledge of motor parameters (resistance, inductance etc). this project has developed techniques which enable a drive to identify these parameters automatically at startup, significantly simplifying the commissioning process. |
Exploitation Route | Collaboration with an industrial partner to develop a prototype system |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Energy,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Transport |
Description | We are still developing aspects of the control but continue to work with indutrial partners to identify suitable application areas to take forward as prototype products. |
First Year Of Impact | 2006 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Education,Energy,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Transport |
Description | Donation, Baldwin and Francis |
Amount | £8,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Baldwin and Francis |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2013 |
End | 09/2015 |
Description | Impact Acceleration Award |
Amount | £20,636 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/K503800/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2014 |
End | 09/2015 |
Description | KTP, Baldwin and Francis |
Amount | £138,572 (GBP) |
Funding ID | KTP8479 |
Organisation | Baldwin and Francis |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2011 |
End | 07/2013 |
Description | KTP, Cummins (Group) |
Amount | £194,250 (GBP) |
Funding ID | KTP007737 |
Organisation | Cummins |
Sector | Private |
Country | United States |
Start | 02/2010 |
End | 03/2014 |
Description | KTS, Baldwin and Francis |
Amount | £92,843 (GBP) |
Funding ID | KTP008479 |
Organisation | Baldwin and Francis |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2007 |
End | 01/2011 |
Description | Baldwin and Francis |
Organisation | Baldwin and Francis |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | New control algorithms |
Collaborator Contribution | test machines |
Impact | Control algorithms |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Control Techniques Drives Ltd |
Organisation | Control Techniques Drives Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | New control and fault location algorithms |
Collaborator Contribution | Applications information, test motors |
Impact | Knowledge associated with control algorithms and motor design |
Start Year | 2006 |
Description | Smiths Aerospace Electronics Systems Sou |
Organisation | Smiths Aerospace Electronic Systems - Southampton |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Investigations into fault detection algorithms for electrical actuators |
Collaborator Contribution | Applications experience (Note collaboration is now with GE Aviation) |
Impact | Contribution to control and fault detection algorithms |
Start Year | 2006 |
Description | TRW Automotive Technical Centre |
Organisation | TRW Automotive |
Department | TRW Automotive Technical Centre |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Investigating new control and fault detection algorithms for power steering systems. |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of test drive system and applications experience |
Impact | PhD thesis and report providing evaluation of control algorithms |
Start Year | 2006 |
Description | PEMC Group Annual Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Conference provided by the research group to disseminate findings to wider industrial network Collaborations with Cummins, and Baldwin and Francis |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015 |