0000000000053316
AUTHOR
G. Ricco Galluzzo
showing 34 related works from this author
Design and experimental characterization of a low-cost, real-time, wireless AC monitoring system based on ATmega 328P-PU microcontroller
2015
This paper describes the development and experimental characterization of a real-time, low-cost, wireless AC monitoring system based on ATmega 328P-PU microcontroller. The proposed system is composed by a main brain for the acquisition and the processing of the data measured by smart meters. From the experimental tests discussed in this work it is demonstrated that the proposed system can monitor, with adequate accuracy, the working cycles of electrical loads in order to evaluate its energy consumption.
Numerical Analysis of Medium Scale PV Plants and Their Power-Flow Control System With a Simple Three Phase Inverter
2012
This paper presents a mathematical analysis of a medium scale Photovoltaic (PV) power generation system connected to the distribution network and of its control system, in which the conversion stage is unique thanks to the absence of a boost chopper. Boost choppers are usually used as actuator for maximum power point tracking (MPPT). The conducted analysis leads to the conclusion that the used inverter presents two degrees of freedom that can be easily exploited in a control system in which the inverter simultaneously realizes the interconnection to the grid and at the same time realizes the MPPT control. The structure of the control system is then presented, discussed and then validated by…
Performance comparison of tubular linear induction motors with different primary winding connections
2014
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…
Current fault signatures of Voltage Source Inverters in different reference frames
2016
This paper considers different current patterns used to identify the correct fault signatures in Voltage Source Inverters (VSI). At the beginning, the Authors consider the currents patterns from which a simple or a double fault can be encompassed both in the case of controllable device only or with its free wheeling companion diode. After the discussion of diagnosis algorithm suitable for electrical drives and principally based on a persistent near zero current condition current in the natural phase reference frame, the stationary reference frame is then considered as a tool to identify both the faulted phase as the device or various combination of faulted devices. On the contrary, the Auth…
Evaluation of performance and efficiency and type approval of an electrically assisted bicycle drive
2013
The diffusion of electrically assisted bicycles gives rise to the need of the evaluation of the performance and efficiency of the electric drive that supply it. In this paper, is presented a test bench for the estimation of the electric drive output torque under several speed and load conditions. Moreover, the test bench detects the electrical and mechanical parameters that allow to evaluate the electrical drive efficiencies. The test bench has been designed in agreement with the Directive 2002/24/EC of the European Parliament since it detects the maximum continuous rated power (that must be lower than 0.25 kW) and evaluates if the output is progressively reduced and finally cut off as the …
A photovoltaic charging system of an electrically assisted tricycle for touristic purposes
2013
In this paper the design, realization and testing of a photovoltaic charging system suitable for the management of an electrically power assisted tricycle are described. This vehicle uses a photovoltaic module as a source of electric energy for the battery recharging. In this work, an overview on the needs of sustainable mobility and on the commercial electrically power assisted velocipedes is presented. The electrical rickshaw prototype, developed in the SDELab laboratory of the University of Palermo, is presented in detail, underlining the design, implementation and developing phases of the photovoltaic charging system assembled on the velocipede. Moreover, tests oriented on the setting u…
A review of multiple faults diagnosis methods in Voltage Source Inverters
2015
This paper examines, as in short review, the methods of diagnosis of simple and multiple faults on Voltage Source Inverter (VSI). The methods examined here are essentially based on the inspection of the load currents. Some of these diagnosis methods are characterized by low computational effort, other for a better reliability avoiding faultless positive tests. Some solutions are characterized by a share of these benefits while others prefer an enforcement of trustworthiness, in spite of the lower calculation amount. The analysis of the technical literature, certainly, offers a glimpse about the creation of new algorithms and significant advances for the future.
Local DoS applications with micro wind generation systems
2015
In this paper a wind electrical power generation system for Distributed on Site (DoS) applications is proposed. This system was developed and conceived in order to guarantee simple installation, use and service, obtaining a product that can be easily industrialized and put into the market with limited costs. The field of application of such an electrical generation system is addressed towards domestic or at the most toward condominium applications concerning moreover the opportunity of working in addition to combined photovoltaic and solar-thermal systems to enhance the renewable energy generation at house level (DoS). The proposed system has its hot spot in the blades shape, in the wind fl…
An IPMSM torque/weight and torque/moment of inertia ratio optimization
2014
In this paper, a torque/weight and torque/moment of inertia ratio optimization procedure for interior permanent magnet syncronous motors (IPMSMs) is presented. More in detail, a performance comparison between several IPMSM rotor structures has been carried out in order to determine the optimum geometry that can maximize the torque/weight and torque/moment of inertia ratios. A commercial motor, with known electrical and mechanical characteristics, has been taken as reference. Its rotor structure has been modified several times, obtaining different rotor geometries and, therefore, many IPMSM models with different electrical and mechanical characteristics. The finite element method (FEM) analy…
Rolling, Pitching and Yawing of a Superconducting Maglev Vehicle
1995
The dynamic characteristics of a Maglev vehicle are influenced by both the translational and the rotational degrees of freedom. As a result, the rolling, pitching and yawing motion modes must be included in a complete description of the dynamic features of a Maglev vehicle. Furthermore, the analysis of this motion modes is also very useful in order to obtain the highest achievable riding comfort.
Wireless battery charging for electric bicycles
2017
The contactless solution is increasingly spreading as method of battery charging for Electric Vehicles (EVs). The standard technology of contactless EV battery charging is based on the Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) between two coupled coils, one connected to the electrical grid and the other one connected to the rechargeable battery. The IPT provides benefits in terms of safety and comfort, due to the absence of a plug-in operation. In this paper, an overview on the IPT applied to the battery charging of electric bicycles is provided, with some general considerations on the technical implications. Moreover, a prototype of contactless battery charging for E-bikes is proposed and described.
Technical and economical comparison between different topologies of PV plant under mismatch effect
2014
This paper presents a technical and economical comparative analysis between two topology of photovoltaic plant. In particular the performances of series-parallel (SP) and total cross tied (TCT), topologies are taken into account, referring to a partially shaded photovoltaic plant. Thanks to a simulation model developed, in the paper the mismatch effects due to three different shading conditions, for SP and TCT topology plant, are quantified. Since the TCT solution, even though increase the energy production, raise the complexity of plants as well as their costs, an evaluation of the individual costs of each component of a SP and TCT plant topology, as PV modules, support structure, inverter…
CIGS PV Module Characteristic Curves Under Chemical Composition and Thickness Variations
2014
This paper analyzes how the electrical characteristics of a CIGS photovoltaic module are affected by the chemical composition and by the thickness variations of the CIGS absorber. The electrical characteristics here considered are the short circuit current, the open circuit voltage, the efficiency and the power peak. The chemical composition is varied by tuning the ratio between gallium and indium. This analysis has been performed by means of the wxAMPS software, developed by the University of Illinois. The above variations have been taken into account on a PV module made of 72 cells. This analysis has been carried out employing a PV module mathematical model developed and implemented by th…
Self training and meta-cognition goals. New approaches, trends and tools in modern teaching of power electronics
2016
Teaching a complex discipline like power electronics is an open question and the best educational approach or the objectives to be achieved at the end of a power electronic course are still in debate. This paper presents a visual didactic approach chosen by the Authors in the last years in their respective courses in power electronics. It also discuss the objectives and the skills required to the students at the end of the course: in particular, some meta-cognition objectives recently fully entered into the education world in general. Such meta-cognition goals are now discussed for the particular case of power electronics courses. The Switching Functions (SFs) generalized approach is then d…
Experimental characterization of a proton exchange membrane fuel-cell for hybrid electric pedal assisted cycles
2017
This paper presents a feasibility study on the prototyping of a hybrid EPAC (Electric Pedal Assisted Cycle) through an FC-B-UC (Fuel Cell — Battery — Ultra-Capacitors) power system. Aim of this work is the characterization of a PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell) in order to confirm its theoretical performances and to verify the possibility of its installation on an e-bike.
Computer Aided Optimization Via Simulation Tools of Energy Generation Systems With Universal Small Wind Turbines
2012
This paper considers the general issues in the project and the optimization of energy generation systems using small universal wind turbines, suitable in Distributed Generation (DG) and computer aided optimization for a better exploitation of wind source. Optimization in this field reveal to be more and more important because the local generation and consumption of electrical power, even for grid connected generators can suffers for unevenness of wind source exploitation, also in terms of wrong directions and in not regular wind flows. Computer aided design and optimization of small plants may give significant improvements in the development of the wind source also in accordance with the pr…
Analysis a DSP Implementation and Experimental Validation of a Loss Minimization Algorithm Applied to Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Drives
2004
In this paper a new loss minimization control algorithm for inverter-fed permanent-magnet synchronous motors (PMSM), which allows to reduce the power losses of the electric drive without penalty on its dynamic performances, is analyzed, experimentally realized and validated. In particular, after a brief recall of two loss minimization control strategies (the "search control" and the "loss-model control"), both a modified dynamic model of the PMSM, which takes into account the iron losses, and a "loss-model" control strategy, are treated. Experimental tests on a specific PMSM drive employing the proposed loss minimization algorithm were performed aiming to validate the actual implementation.…
A review of fuel cell based hybrid power supply architectures and algorithms for household appliances
2014
Abstract Nowadays, renewable power system solutions are widely investigated for residential applications. Grid-connected systems including energy storage elements are designed. Advanced research is actually focused on improving the reliability and energy density of renewable systems reducing the whole utility cost. Source and load modeling, power architectures and algorithms are only a few topics to be addressed. Designers have to carefully deal with each subtopic prior to design efficient renewable energy systems. In the literature, each topic is separately discussed and the lack of a unique reference guide is clear to power electronics designers. In this paper, each design step including …
Monitoring and Diagnosis of Failures in Squirrel-Cage Induction Motors Due to Cracked or Broken Bars
2011
In this paper three diagnostic procedures, based on on the vibration, current and instantaneous power monitoring for the detection and monitoring of incipient faults as cracks or bar breaks on squirrel cage motors are briefly reminded. The experimental investigations, carried out at the SDESLab (Sustainable Development Energy Savings Laboratory) of the University of Palermo in order to underline merits and drawbacks of the methods applied to the same die cast squirrel cage induction motor, are presented. The results of the investigations confirmed the effectiveness of the diagnostic procedures here considered.
Parametrical study of multilayer structures for CIGS solar cells
2014
In this paper, a numerical analysis of relevant electrical parameters of multilayer structures for CIGS-based solar cells was carried out, employing the simulation software wxAMPS. In particular, we have focused on thin film cells having a ZnO:Al/ZnO/CdS/CIGS structure with a Molybdenum back contact. The aim of this work is to establish good theoretical reference values for an ongoing experimental activity, where our technology of choice is the single-step electrodeposition. In detail, we have analyzed how the main electrical properties change with the bang gap and the thickness of the absorber layer, for such a type of solar cell structure. Our results show that both efficiency and fill fa…
Wireless Power Transmission for house appliances: A small-scale resonant coupling prototype
2016
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.
A New Digital Demodulator for Sensorless Control of Electrical Drives with Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors
2008
This paper deals a new digital demodulator algorithm for sensorless control of interior permanent magnet synchronous motors (IPMS) based on the estimation of speed and rotor angular position. To this aim a signal similar to that generated by a resolver connected to the shaft of the motor is obtained injecting high frequency stator currents. A new digital algorithm has been designed and set up to demodulate the above signal whose implementation can be carried out on the same DSP that processes the whole control algorithm. The proposed demodulator scheme is presented and justified on the theoretic point of view. Simulations results finally validate the effectiveness of the demodulator within …
Flexible power converters for the fault tolerant operation of Micro-Grids
2010
The progressive penetration level of Distributed Generation (DG) is destined to cause deep changes in the existing distribution networks no longer considered as passive terminations of the whole electrical system. A possible solution is the realization of small networks, namely the Micro-Grids, reproducing in themselves the structure of the main production and distribution of the electrical energy system. In order to gain an adequate reliability level of the microgrids the individuation and the management of the faults with the goal of maintaining the micro-grid operation (fault tolerant operation) is quite important. In the present paper flexible power converters and a companion control al…
Digital demodulation for fast set-up of sensorless PMSM electrical drives based on magnetic anisotropy
2009
This paper presents a demodulation algorithm applied to the sensorless control of permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM). The sensorless control technique reported in this paper is based on the injection of high frequency voltages to the stator so that the motor currents contain information on the rotor position. This information is then extracted by an appropriate demodulation technique. The presented demodulation algorithm is based on spectral analysis of the signal produced by the sensorless control technique because this is fully characterized and presents not ambiguous correlation between current harmonic content and rotor position. The most important feature of the demodulation al…
A photovoltaic system suitable for the battery pack charging of an electrically power assisted velocipede
2012
The paper describes the designing, sizing, realization and setting up of a complete system suitable for the management of an electrically power assisted velocipede using a photovoltaic module for the charging of the batteries. In the work an overview on the sustainable mobility needs and on the commercial electrically power assisted velocipedes is presented and the "Ecolapa" prototype, set up in the SDELab laboratory of Palermo University, is precisely described underlining the designing, implementation and setting up phases of the photovoltaic charging system settled up on the velocipede. Moreover tests oriented on the setting up of the whole system and validation tests on the prototype ar…
Design of a grid connected inverter for sustainable small wind farms
2016
The actual definition of sustainability is nowadays widely accepted. It provides a very general indication on what it is, but it reveals unable to assert how it should be reached. However, if one considers the multiplicity of human activities that have led to talk of real process of human settlement on the environment, it is then understood how it is close to the particular mankind activities. Then the task of providing a guidance on what to do within the sustainability concept is delegated case by case. In this paper, with reference to wind renewable source, The Authors give some indications in the design of a voltage source inverters aimed to optimal use of the wind source. In particular …
Efficiency Improvement of Inverter-Fed Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors
2003
In this paper a control algorithm for the efficiency improvement of inverter-fed permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) is presented. The proposed algorithm allows reducing the losses of the drive without reduction of its dynamic performances. In details, after recalling a dynamic model of the PMSM, which has been purposely modified and that takes into account the iron losses, the basic equations and the constraints to obtain the loss minimization are presented and discussed. Some simulations of a specific PMSM drive employing the proposed algorithm are performed. The results of these simulations show that the dynamic performances are maintained, and enhancement of the efficiency up to…
A general procedure for the construction of Gorges polygons for multi-phase windings of electrical machines
2018
This paper presents a simple and effective procedure for the determination of the Gorges polygon, suitable for all possible winding configurations in electrical machines. This methodology takes into account the determination of a Winding Distribution Table (WDT), in which all the information about the distribution of the currents along the stator periphery is computed and from which the Görges polygon are easily derived. The proposed method can be applied to both symmetrical and asymmetrical multi-phase windings, including concentrated, fractional, reduced and dead-coil ones. The examples provided in this paper demonstrate the versatility of the proposed method.
A suitable control technique for fault-tolerant converters in Distributed Generation
2011
The penetration of Distributed Generation (DG) in power systems is deeply changing the existing distribution networks which is becoming a very sophisticated and complex systems incorporating both active (generators) and passive systems (distribution systems, converters and loads). The necessary simplification can be obtained dealing with small networks, namely Micro-Grids, reproducing, in a smaller scale, the structure and the problems of large networks including production, transmission and distribution of the electrical energy. In order to achieve an adequate level of reliability, fault-tolerant operations of micro-grids become very important. This result can be achieved only using power …
Development of Diagnostic Systems for the Fault Tolerant Operation of Micro-Grids
2010
The progressive penetration level of Distributed Generation (DG) is destined to cause deep changes in the existing distribution networks no longer considered as passive terminations of the whole electrical system. A possible solution is the realization of small networks, namely the Micro-Grids, reproducing in themselves the structure of the main production and distribution of the electrical energy system. In order to gain an adequate reliability level of the micro-grids the individuation and the management of the faults with the goal of maintaining the micro-grid operation (fault tolerant operation) is quite important. In the present paper after the introduction of the aims of several diagn…
Experimental validation of a general model for three phase inverters operating in healthy and faulty modes
2012
The paper presents the experimental verification of a general mathematical model of Voltage Source Inverters (VSI) able to simulate fault conditions and which is also useful for the simulation of fault-tolerant systems for different applications. In general, in the past, the problem of faulty inverters modeling has been addressed specifically by considering faults on the different phases as separate cases. Furthermore, traditional models include only the faulty mode and not the healthy mode, so resulting then not able to predict transient phenomena. The model hereafter presented overcomes this drawback. It was formulated by introducing the concept of “healthy leg binary variables”. Such var…
Improvement of IPMSM performance through a mixed radial-tangential rotor structure
2010
In this paper an IPMSM (Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor) rotor configuration optimization is proposed in order to increase the performances in terms of torque, limiting at the same time the rotor leakage flux. The final mixed radial and tangential rotor configuration here proposed and described determines a reduction in PM material quantity of about 25% compared to a tangential IPMSM one with the same dimension and weight, together with an increase of the motoring torque of about 50%. Some simulation carried out by using a FEM software and a comparative analysis with two traditional IPMSMs rotor configurations show that a significant improvement can be achieved with limited chan…
Efficiency Maximization of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generators Coupled to Wind Turbines
2007
In this paper a control algorithm for the efficiency improvement of permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSG), the relative simulations and their results are presented. The proposed algorithm reduces the losses of the generator without affecting its performances. In details, after a description of a dynamic model of the PMSG, which has been modified in order to take into account the iron losses, the basic methodologies to obtain the loss minimization are presented and discussed. Many simulations of a specific PMSG employing the proposed algorithm were carried out and are presented. The results of these simulations show that enhancement of the efficiency up to 3% and more can be reached…
Experimental characterization of a wind generator prototype for sustainable small wind farms
2016
This paper presents the experimental characterization of a wind turbine prototype used for micro wind farms. The proposed prototype, whose advantages can be summarized in versatility of application, low noise and compactness, can generate 1 kW of rated power for a wind speed equal to 4 m/s. The tests here reported and carried out by means of an experimental test bench confirm that the prototype is well designed and adequate for the purpose of its application.