Asynchronous Motor Flux Observer Control for Low-Speed Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control methods for asynchronous motors face stability and reliability issues, particularly at low speeds, due to variations in stator resistance caused by temperature and the presence of an unstable operating region.

Innovation Solution

An improved control arrangement and method utilizing a flux sensor unit, polyphase flux sensors, and a flux observer to measure and calculate airgap flux, stator current, and stator voltage, enabling precise estimation of flux and motor angular speed, which are then used to stabilize control of the asynchronous motor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If speed sensorless control is used to simplify the system, then device complexity is reduced, but stability deteriorates at low speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidoperational stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a flux observer as an intermediary component that estimates rotor flux and speed without requiring physical sensors. This mediator processes stator current and voltage signals to derive rotor state information, enabling sensorless control while maintaining stability through accurate flux estimation algorithms that compensate for the lack of direct measurement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If stator resistance variations due to temperature are not compensated, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature compensation systemVSAvoidcontrol reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the flux observer continuously monitors estimated flux and uses this information to adjust control parameters. The system feeds back rotor flux estimates and speed estimates to compensate for stator resistance variations, maintaining control reliability despite temperature-induced resistance changes without requiring explicit temperature sensors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If flux observation with multiple signal inputs is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflux estimation accuracyVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flux observer is designed as a multi-functional unit that simultaneously processes multiple signal inputs (stator currents, stator voltages) to perform multiple estimation tasks (rotor flux, rotor speed, stator resistance). This universal estimator consolidates multiple measurement functions into a single processing block, improving measurement precision while managing complexity through integrated signal processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4651362A1Arrangement and method for controlling an asynchronous motor and a frequency converter
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP4651362A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4651362A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4651362A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to the field of electric drive devices and electric motors for industrial applications, and more particularly to an arrangement and a method for controlling an asynchronous motor and a frequency converter. The arrangement of the present invention for controlling an asynchronous motor (3) comprises an inverter unit (2) arranged to drive said asynchronous motor (3); a flux sensor unit (4) comprising polyphase flux sensor/sensors placed in the airgap of said asynchronous motor (3) arranged to measure the polyphase airgap flux ψag,a, ψag,b, ... ψag,m of the asynchronous motor (3); a flux observer (5); and polyphase current sensors (31); wherein said flux observer (5) is arranged to calculate a flux estimate ψ̂ utilizing a received airgap flux ψ‾agsvector signal in a αβ-reference frame, a received stator current iss vector signal in a αβ-reference frame, a received stator current is vector signal in a dq-reference frame and either one of a received/calculated stator voltage reference or a received stator voltage uss vector signal in a αβ-reference frame, and wherein said flux observer (5) is used in control of said asynchronous motor (3).