Synchronous Motor Control During Position Sensor Anomalies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric motor control systems fail to maintain performance when a rotor speed sensor anomaly occurs, leading to uncontrolled movements and inappropriate behaviors due to the lack of position or speed measurement information.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for on-the-fly reconfiguration of motor control mode by adapting electrical control gains and current references based on anomaly detection in position measurement, ensuring continuous control without shutdown, using mechanical and electrical control blocks to estimate speed and maintain mechanical torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the control system operates with position sensor information, then the control performance and precision are improved, but the system becomes inoperative when the position sensor fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary estimation mechanism that uses electrical quantities (current, voltage) as mediators to infer position information when the position sensor fails. The observer estimates rotor position by processing electrical measurements through mathematical models, serving as a backup information source that maintains control functionality during sensor anomalies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameters from direct position sensor measurements to estimated position derived from electrical quantities. By switching the information source from mechanical sensor output to electrical parameter-based estimation, the system maintains operation under sensor failure conditions while preserving control precision through the observer algorithm.
2Reliability
If the control system is reconfigured after sensor failure, then the system can continue operation, but the current movement ends in an uncontrolled manner during reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of sensor anomalies and activates the observer-based estimation mechanism in advance, before the position sensor completely fails. This preliminary action ensures that the estimation algorithm is already running and can immediately take over control, preventing uncontrolled movements during the transition period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous control action by maintaining the observer-based position estimation running throughout operation, seamlessly transitioning from sensor-based control to estimation-based control without interruption. The control loop continues uninterrupted, using the estimated position to generate control signals, thereby maintaining movement stability during reconfiguration.
3Reliability
If the control law is configured to operate without position sensor information, then the system can operate during sensor failure, but the control precision and performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through the observer algorithm that continuously compares estimated position with available sensor data (when functional) and adjusts the estimation accordingly. The observer uses feedback from electrical measurements and control inputs to refine the position estimate, maintaining precision even when operating without direct position sensor information.
Data Source
AI summary
Method for controlling a synchronous electric motor including a generation of a torque reference from a mechanical setpoint, a measurement of the position and a determination of the speed of the motor, a measurement of the current generated by the motor, a generation of the voltage references from the torque reference, and a generation of the control voltages from the reference voltages. It includes a monitoring of an anomaly in the position measurement, an adaptation of the electrical control gains as a function of the detection or non-detection of an anomaly in the measurement of the position of the electric motor, and in that the voltage references depend on the values of the electrical control gains.