0000000000004569
AUTHOR
C. Nevoloso
An efficient wireless power transfer prototype for electrical vehicles
Based on the inductive power transfer (IPT), the contactless approach allows safe and comfortable operations of battery charging for Electric Vehicles (EVs). In this paper, a contactless system particularly suitable for E-bike battery charging is proposed. A practical realization of the system has been carried out, aiming at the system evaluation in terms of working and efficiency. Through a phase shift modulation, a power regulation has been implemented. The target power level is 100 W.
High Performance FOC for Induction Motors with Low Cost ATSAM3X8E Microcontroller
In this paper the Authors present the Arduino Due board application for an induction motor field oriented control (FOC) algorithm. The low cost Arduino Due board is equipped with a ATSAM3X8E microcontroller that performs the algorithm calculation, data processing, current signals and speed/position data acquisition. The control algorithm has been developed with the help of the open source Arduino integrated development environment, whereas a user friendly control interface, used to manage the speed or position set point, has been developed in Java language by means of an other open source software, namely, Processing. An experimental test bed has been set up in order to validate the FOC sys…
High-Speed Machines: Typologies, Standards, and Operation under PWM Supply
This paper presents an overview of the most recent state of the art in the field of high-speed electric machines fed through high-frequency converters. This type of systems is rapidly wide spreading in aeronautical and automotive applications, as well as microturbines. Each typology has its own advantages and downsides, which are analytically presented in this paper. Some types of high-speed electric machines require high-frequency voltage supply, highly stressing the dielectric materials of the winding insulation system. For this reason, in high-speed electric drives, premature failure may occur and a reduction of the total system reliability has been observed in the past years. Such issue…
Performance comparison of tubular linear induction motors with different primary winding connections
This paper presents an experimental characterization and comparison of the performances achieved by a tubular linear induction motor (TLIM) prototype with different typologies of primary winding connections. In particular, three configurations are described: full-pitch star, 5/6 shortened pitch star and 5/6 shortened pitch double star. For this purpose, an experimental test bench at the SDESLAB laboratory (University of Palermo) has been set-up and the results obtained from the tests have allowed to identify which type of winding configuration can be chosen in dependence of the type of application intended for the motor. In addition, this experimental study is suitable for TLIM winding desi…
Enhanced Modelling for Extended Performance Analysis of Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine Drive fed with Cascaded H-Bridges Multilevel Inverter
This paper presents a comparative simulation analysis of an Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (IPMSM) performance once fed by a traditional three-phase two-level inverter and then using a three-phase five-level Cascaded H-Bridges Multilevel Inverter (CHBMI). For this purpose, an enhanced mathematical model of the IPMSM, that take into account simultaneously saturation, cross-coupling, spatial harmonics and iron loss effects, has been employed. Furthermore, two different PWM modulation strategies have been considered. The study was conducted for several working conditions, evaluating the impact of CHBMI adoption on the IPMSM performance in terms of improved efficiency and torque …
Experimental Prototyping of a Microgrid with Mechanical Point of Common Coupling
The smartgrid is a key technology for the sustainable and smart utilization of the renewable energies. In this paper, a prototyping of a microgrid, assembled at the Sustainable Development and Energy Saving Laboratory (SDESLAB) of the University of Palermo, is presented and discussed. In detail, the microgrid presents only one mechanical point of common coupling (PCC) with the main grid and it is electrically separated from the main grid. In this way, the voltage variations of the main grid do not affect the microgrid electric quantities behavior. In order to validate the effectiveness of the voltage and frequency control, several experimental tests and analysis have been carried out. In de…
Speed control of tubular linear induction motors for industrial automated applications
The Tubular Linear Induction Machine (TLIM) has acquired great relevance over the past years for industrial automated applications. For this purpose, the complete modeling, simulation and determination of the parameters of a TLIM is presented in this paper. In addition, the TLIM speed control for this specific application is here described. In order to verify the performances of the proposed system, a test bench has been setup and good agreement is shown from the comparison between measured and simulated results.
Fast procedure for the calculation of maximum slot filling factors in electrical machines
This paper presents an algorithm for the calculation of maximum slot filling factor in electrical machines. The determination of whole wire cross section that occupy the area of a stator slot is very important in order to estimate the copper losses: The greater is the filling factor the lower are copper losses. The main goal of this paper is to define a simple algorithm for the determination of slot filling factors suitable for all type of slot profiles. The algorithm can be considered as an additional useful tool for the fast design of electrical machine windings.
Comparison of three control drive systems for interior permanent magnet synchronous motors
In a previous paper, we proposed a control strategy for interior permanent synchronous motors, which takes into account also the reduction of the motor power losses. The novelty of the suggested approach is that it takes into consideration the variations of all the motor parameters that have an influence on its efficiency. In order to verifyon the field the effectiveness of this new method, we implemented the proposed loss model algorithm in a control drive system and compared its performances, in terms of energy losses with respect to other conventional techniques.
Nanostructured lead acid battery for electric vehicles applications
This paper presents an innovative lead acid battery, based on nanostructured active materials. Both charging time and specific energy are greatly enhanced in comparison with commercial lead acid battery. Starting from the extremely valuable performances of the nanostructured battery, also a circuital model, for application in electric vehicle traction, has been specifically developed. The circuital model has demonstrated that an enhanced nanostructured battery allows an increase of traveled distance by electric vehicles.
Practical Implementation of a Synchronous PWM Strategy for Low Switching Frequency FOC of im Drives with ATSAM3X8E Microcontroller
This paper presents a practical implementation of synchronous PWM modulation algorithm for an induction motor field oriented control powered by a DC/AC inverter and implemented on a low-cost microcontroller, the ATSAM3X8E. In particular, a simple algorithm, capable to calculate automatically an optimized set of frequency modulation indexes will be presented. Hysteresis bands are also introduced in the algorithm in order to avoid multiple changeovers during modulation index transitions. Experimental tests and their results will be shown and discussed, highlighting the benefits of the present algorithm, such as reduction of current harmonic content, reduction of current ripple and, consequent…
Enhanced Mathematical Modelling of Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine Considering Saturation, Cross-Coupling and Spatial Harmonics effects
The Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous machine (IPMSM) conventional mathematical model is generally employed to investigate and simulate the IPMSM control and drive system behaviour. However, magnetic nonlinearities and spatial harmonics have a substantial influence on the IPMSM electromagnetic behaviour and performances. In order to simulate the IPMSM real electromagnetic behaviour, this paper describes an enhanced mathematical model that takes into account the saturation, cross-coupling and spatial harmonics effects. This model has been implemented in Matlab®/Simulink environment where the electric and magnetic parameters are derived from FEA investigations and implemented by the use o…
Experimental Comparison of Efficiency Enhancement Algorithms for Three-Phase Induction Motors
This paper presents an experimental comparison of two efficiency improvement algorithms for three-phase induction motors by adopting Loss Model Algorithms (LMAs). The efficiency enhancement is evaluated starting from several simulations for different conditions of load and speed and, then, validated by comparing the experimental results obtained by applying the two control strategies and the traditional Field Oriented Control (FOC). Significant results in terms of efficiency enhancement are presented and discussed.
Wireless Power Transmission for house appliances: A small-scale resonant coupling prototype
This paper presents a low cost prototype of wireless power transfer system based on resonant coupling. The system here proposed can be useful for house appliances battery charging systems: as a matter of fact, it consists mainly of two copper wire coils or windings, placed one in front of the other on the same axis. By exploiting the coils resonance coupling effect, electric energy can be transferred from the inductor coil to the receiver in order to charge the batteries. Low cost experimental tests demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed wireless power transfer prototype, being it capable to reach an efficiency of about 80% and more along a distance of 30 cm.
Enhanced loss model algorithm for interior permanent magnet synchronous machines
This paper presents an experimental study on the impact of the parameter variations over the performances of a LMA (Loss Model Algorithm) designed for an IPMSM (Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine). In a previous work, the characterization was carried out by assessing, for several working conditions, the motor parameters that influence the motor efficiency. The proposed enhanced loss model algorithm is implemented in a rapid prototyping system and its performances, in term of efficiency, are compared with other control systems, obtaining promising results.
Interior permanent magnet synchronous motors: Impact of the variability of the parameters on their efficiency
In the scientific literature, various authors presented different control strategies aimed to increase the efficiency of the interior permanent magnet synchronous motors. These strategies, starting from a well-known mathematical model of the dynamic behaviour of the motor, are able to reduce the power losses acting on the magnetizing component of the stator current. However, none of the proposed approaches takes into account that, varying the working conditions of the motor, also the values of the parameters, which have an impact on the power losses, can vary. In this paper, therefore, starting from an accurate measurement of the motor characteristics for various values of speed and load, w…
Modelling, simulation and characterization of a supercapacitor
In the last decade, the issue of air pollution or the reduction of CO2 emissions has become of extreme interest both for civil society and then for the industrial and scientific research world. For this reason, the scientific research on automotive is called to answer with increasingly innovative solutions. One of the principal subjects are the storage and the utilization of the electric energy for electrical and hybrid vehicles. Nowadays, supercapacitors are getting more and more attention because of their characteristics that allow them to be a bridge between electrolytic capacitors and batteries in several application such as bust-mode energy delivery, regenerative breaks and so on. The …
Enhanced flexible algorithm for the optimization of slot filling factors in electrical machines †
The continuous development in the field of industrial automation and electric mobility has led to the need for more efficient electrical machines with a high power density. The improvement of electrical machines’ slot filling factors is one of the measures to satisfy these requirements. In recent years, this topic has aroused greater interest in the industrial sector, since the evolution of the winding technological manufacturing processes allows an economically sustainable realization of ordered winding arrangements, rather than random ones. Moreover, the manufacture of electrical machines’ windings must be preceded by an accurate design phase in which it is possible to evaluate the maximu…
Experimental characterization and comparison of TLIM performances with different primary winding connections
Abstract This paper presents an experimental characterization and comparison of the performances achieved by a Tubular Linear Induction Motor (TLIM) prototype with different typologies of primary winding connections. More in detail, three different configurations have been considered, analyzed and discussed: full-pitch star, 5/6 shortened pitch star and 5/6 shortened pitch double star. For this purpose, an experimental test bench at the Sustainable Development and Energy Saving Laboratory (SDESLab), University of Palermo, Italy, has been set-up. The obtained results have allowed the identification of the best winding configuration for different applications intended for the motor. Moreover,…
Simple and Flexible Power Loss Minimizer With Low-Cost MCU Implementation for High-Efficiency Three-Phase Induction Motor Drives
This paper presents a simple, practical and low-cost implementation of a power losses minimization algorithm for three-phase induction motors taking also into account both iron core losses and magnetic saturation. The algorithm evaluates, in real-time, the optimal direct axis magnetizing flux component for efficiency enhancement of the drive. A further advantage of the proposed technique is represented by a flexible and low-cost implementation by means of an ATMEL ATSAM3X8E microcontroller. The power loss minimization algorithm is tested preliminarily by means of several simulations, then, experimentally validated by applying the proposed control strategy on a 5.5 kW Field Oriented Control …
A General and Accurate Measurement Procedure for the Detection of Power Losses Variations in Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Drives
The research of innovative solutions to improve the efficiency of electric drives is of considerable interest to challenges related to energy savings and sustainable development. In order to successfully validate the adoption of new and innovative software or hardware solutions in the field of electric drives, accurate measurement procedures for either efficiency or power losses are needed. Moreover, high accuracy and expensive measurement equipment are required to satisfy international standard prescriptions. In this scenario, this paper describes an accurate measurement procedure, which is independent of the accuracy of the adopted instrumentation, for the power losses variations involved…
FOC with Resolver Implementation for PMSM Drives by Using a Low Cost Atmel SAM3X8E Microcontroller
The aim of this paper is the low-cost experimental implementation of a field oriented control strategy for a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) by using an Atmel SAM3X8E microcontroller, mounted on an Arduino DUE board. In this electrical drive for PMSM, a resolver is used in order to measure the rotor position and speed: Therefore, the low-cost Arduino DUE performs not only FOC algorithm and phase currents data acquisition, but also a resolver-To-digital converter process, rotor position and speed data acquisition, and resolver signals management. The code has been implemented in the open source Arduino IDE, using C language, whereas the control and plot visualization interfaces hav…
Maximum Torque Per Ampere control algorithm for low saliency ratio interior permanent magnet synchronous motors
This paper presents an investigation on the comparison between the Maximum Torque Per Ampere (MTPA) and the Field Orientation Control (FOC) algorithms for interior permanent magnet synchronous machines (IPMSMs). In particular, this study was carried out on a small-power IPMSM with low salience ratio. Both control algorithms have been implemented in the Matlab/Simulink environment, obtaining promising results.
Improved High-Fidelity IPMSM mathematical model Including Saturation, Cross-Coupling, Torque Ripple and Iron Loss effects
For enhanced control algorithm design purposes, accurate and high-fidelity electrical machine mathematical models are fundamentals. Usually, accurate evaluation of electrical machine behaviour requires finite element analysis (FEA) with consequent high-computational times. This paper presents an improved high-fidelity Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (IPMSM) mathematical model including saturation, cross-coupling, torque ripple and iron loss effects. This model has been implemented in Matlab®/Simulink environment and its parameters are implemented by the use of lookup tables. To validate the modelling approach proposed, a comparative analysis between the proposed Matlab®/Simuli…
Uncertainty evaluation in the differential measurements of power losses in a power drive system
Abstract In order to guarantee a correct classification in the standardized energy efficiency classes, the current standards concerning the power drive systems prescribe that their power losses must be evaluated with great accuracy. This circumstance involves the usage of expensive measurement systems, since accurate instrumentation, skilled personnel and controlled environments are required. During the design stage of a power drive system, however, the measurement of the absolute value of its power losses is not always needed. Often, in fact, it is enough to assess the power losses variations caused by a modification of either hardware or software sections of the power drive system. In the…
Implementation on NI-SOM sbRIO-9651 and Experimental Validation of Multi-Carrier PWM Techniques for Three-Phase Five Level Cascaded H-Bridge Inverter
Multilevel Power Inverters (MPIs) represent a valid solution to improve the performances of energy production systems from renewable energy sources. Furthermore, the use of novel FPGA control systems allows simplifying the implementation of multicarrier PWM techniques for MPIs with computational benefits. This paper describes the implementation of several multicarrier PWM techniques on NI-SOM sbRIO-9651 for the control of a three-phase five-level cascaded H-bridge inverter. In detail, sbRIO-9651 is a control system in the field of Power Electronics and Drives (PED) programmable in the LabVIEW graphical programming environment. The paper is focused on modulation techniques implementation, te…
Experimental Comparative Analysis of Efficiency and THD for a Three-phase Five-level Cascaded H-Bridge Inverter Controlled by Several MC-PWM Schemes
Cascaded H-Bridges Multilevel Inverters are an innovative and promising solution in different application fields. This topology allows obtaining an improvement in the performance (e.g. reduced harmonic content, the low voltage stress on power components, and high efficiency) in respect to the traditional two-level inverters. In this context, the Multicarrier-PWM strategies play an important role thanks to their features. This paper presents an experimental investigation on the performance of a three-phase five-level Cascaded H-Bridge inverter by using different PWM modulation strategies. In particular, the paper is focused on the experimental validation of the main features of Multicarrier …
Performance Comparison of Electrical Motors equipped with slightly Asymmetrical Windings
This paper presents a comparison between the performances of electrical machines equipped with slightly asymmetrical windings. More in detail, by modifying the stator geometry of an Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine equipped with a symmetrical winding configuration, other two slightly asymmetrical winding topologies are obtained. The three models are, then, analyzed by means of a finite element method (FEM) and the related results are compared in terms of cogging torque, static characteristics and leakage factor. The obtained results demonstrate that the adoption of slightly asymmetrical windings could be an interesting alternative solution during the design stage of electrical …
Experimental comparison of two control algorithms for low-saliency ratio interior permanent magnet synchronous motors
In this paper, an experimental investigation on the comparison between the Maximum Torque Per Ampere (MTPA) and the Field Orientation Control (FOC) algorithms for interior permanent magnet synchronous machines (IPMSMs) is described, analyzed and discussed. This investigation was carried out on a small-power IPMSM with low saliency ratio. More in detail, after a previous simulation study, the control techniques have been experimentally implemented and validated through means of a dSPACE® rapid prototyping system. The performances of the two algorithms have been evaluated and compared, obtaining interesting results.
Experimental Evaluation of Dead-Time Impacts on the Efficiency and THD for a Three-Phase Five-Level Cascaded H-Bridge Inverter
Cascaded H-Bridges Multilevel Inverter (CHBMI) is a fascinating solution for optimization purposes in several application fields. The CHBMI performance optimization can be reached both with hardware and software solutions. In detail, the CHBMI performances are a function of the modulation strategy adopted and its parameters such as modulation index, switching frequency, and dead time. This paper presents performance experimental analysis on dead time effects on CHBMI performance in terms of harmonic distortion and conversion efficiency. In this analysis, two different modulation strategies have been considered and implemented. The paper focuses on modulation strategies implemented, the test…
Experimental Implementation of an Enhanced Field Oriented Control Strategy for Induction Motors Using a Low-Cost ATSAM3X8E Microcontroller
This paper presents a low-cost Micro Controller Unit (MCU) implementation of an enhanced Field Oriented Control (FOC) technique that takes into account the non-linearity of the ferromagnetic material. The algorithm is applied to a three-phase 5.5 kW Induction Motor (IM) and experimentally carried out by means of an ATMEL ATSAM3X8E microcontroller. The effectiveness of the enhanced control strategy is verified by comparing the dynamic performances of the electric drive with those obtained by means of a traditional FOC technique. For this purpose, an experimental test bench is set up for the implementation of the enhanced FOC technique. Finally, the technical and economic features of the simp…
Impact Evaluation of Innovative Selective Harmonic Mitigation Algorithm for Cascaded H-Bridge Inverter on IPMSM Drive Application
This paper presents a detailed analysis of the use of a novel Harmonic Mitigation algorithm for Cascaded H-Bridge Multilevel Inverter in electrical drives for the transportation field. For this purpose, an enhanced mathematical model of Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (IPMSM), that takes into account simultaneously saturation, cross-coupling, spatial harmonics, and iron loss effects, has been used. In detail, this model allows estimating accurately the efficiency and the torque ripple of the IPMSM, crucial parameters for transportation applications. Moreover, two traditional pulse width modulation strategies, Sinusoidal Phase-Shifted and Switching Frequency Optimal Phase-Shifted…
Characterization of the parameters of interior permanent magnet synchronous motors for a loss model algorithm
Abstract The paper provides the results of a detailed experimental study on the variations of the characteristics of an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor, when load, speed and/or magnetization conditions vary. In particular, the characterization is carried out by assessing, for several working conditions, the motor parameters that influence its efficiency. From the knowledge of the variability of these parameters, it is possible to develop a dynamic model of the motor, which accurately describes its behaviour and allows estimating the power losses for whatever speed and load. In order to validate the model, the values of the power losses obtained by using the model are compared wi…
Characterization of interior permanent magnet synchronous motors for loss model algorithm identification
The paper provides the results of a detailed experimental study on the variations of the characteristics of an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor, when load, speed and/or magnetization conditions vary. In particular, the characterization is carried out by assessing, for several working conditions, the motor parameters that influence its efficiency. From the knowledge of the variability of these parameters, it is possible to develop a dynamic model of the motor, which accurately describes its behaviour and allows estimating the power losses for whatever speed and load. In order to validate the model, the values of the power losses obtained by using the model are compared with the va…
Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine Drive Powered by Fuel Cell for Automotive Applications
Electric vehicles represent an optimal solution for the reduction of pollution in urban areas. In particular, the Fuel Cell (FC) technology is a promising solution especially for its charging times and zero CO2 direct emissions. The paper addresses the design and performance study of an Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (IPMSM) drive powered by fuel cell for automotive applications. The IPMSM drive is powered by the use of 5,5 kW FC unit and it is composed of two DC-DC power converters and one inverter. In detail, a test bench has been carried out for the evaluation of the performances of each IPMSM drive conversion stage. Moreover, in order to simulate automotive working condit…
Algorithmic Approach for Slot Filling Factors Determination in Electrical Machines
In several industrial sectors, such as electric and hybrid traction, the demand for increasingly efficient and high power density electrical machines has grown considerably over the last few years. The improvement of slot filling factor of the electrical machines is an useful provision to satisfy this request. In particular, this topic has been the subject of interest for the industrial sector in recent years, since the technology of winding processes have evolved and allow an economically sustainable realization of windings with an ordered structure rather than randomly. The winding phase must be supported by an accurate design process in which it is possible to evaluate the maximum slot f…