Rotor Position Detection Using Low-Frequency Admittance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the rotor position of electrically excited synchronous machines at standstill or low speeds are imprecise due to low induced voltages and interference from disturbance variables, especially in medium-voltage converters with long modulation periods, leading to uncontrolled machine movement and measurement errors.

Innovation Solution

A method involving impressing voltage test signals at multiple space vector angles with a fundamental frequency, determining Fourier coefficients of the resulting excitation and stator currents, and using indicator variables to accurately determine the rotor position, while minimizing harmonic components and optimizing voltage pulse directions for medium-voltage converters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If induced voltage curves are used to determine rotor position at low speeds, then the method is simple to implement, but measurement precision deteriorates due to low induced voltages and disturbance variables

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of implementationVSAvoidrotor position detection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the frequency parameter of the test signals to a specific range (1-10 Hz) where the electrical machine exhibits maximum admittance difference between d and q axes. This frequency optimization enables precise rotor position detection at standstill and low speeds by exploiting the machine's inherent frequency-dependent characteristics, resolving the contradiction between implementation simplicity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If high-frequency voltage pulses are impressed to determine rotor position, then rotor position information can be obtained, but damper windings prevent accurate evaluation of saturation state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotor position informationVSAvoidsaturation state evaluation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the frequency parameter from high-frequency to low-frequency range (1-10 Hz), which allows the test signals to penetrate through the damper windings effectively. At these lower frequencies, the damper windings do not impede the evaluation of saturation state, enabling accurate rotor position determination while overcoming the limitation imposed by damper windings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If voltage test signals are impressed in arbitrary directions based on previous measurements, then the evaluation process is simplified, but measurement precision deteriorates in medium-voltage converters with long modulation periods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevaluation process complexityVSAvoidrotor position measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining specific space vector directions for voltage test signals before actual measurement. This predetermined approach ensures that test signals are applied in optimal directions that maximize the admittance difference effect, thereby improving measurement precision in medium-voltage converters with long modulation periods while maintaining evaluation simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If the electrical machine is accelerated quickly to high speed, then the system responds faster, but rotor position control is lost at standstill and low speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacceleration speedVSAvoidrotor position control reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining the initial rotor position at standstill using low-frequency test signals before acceleration begins. This preliminary position determination ensures reliable rotor position knowledge is established before the machine accelerates to high speed, allowing for controlled acceleration and maintaining reliability throughout the speed transition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach provides a more reliable and robust determination of the rotor position, reducing measurement errors and ensuring controlled operation even at low speeds, particularly in medium-voltage converters with long modulation periods.

Implementation Method 1

Impressing voltage test signals into the stator winding (31) with an excitation current flowing through the excitation winding (32) of the rotor (33)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

determining the respective resulting values of an excitation current indicator variable as Fourier coefficients of the excitation current resulting from the voltage test signal with respect to the fundamental frequency of the voltage test signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFourier analysis:

Data Source

PatentEP2843828B1Method and device for determining a pole wheel position of an electronically commutated electrical machine
Publication Date: 2018.04.04 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP2843828B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2843828B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2843828B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining the rotor position of an electrically excited electric machine (3), comprising the following steps: - applying voltage test signals at several space vector angles with a fundamental frequency that lies in a frequency range in which an admittance difference exists, particularly when the space vector angles are offset by 90°; - determining the respective resulting values ​​of an excitation current indicator quantity as Fourier coefficients of the excitation current resulting from the voltage test signal with respect to the fundamental frequency of the voltage test signal at the corresponding space vector angles; and - determining the rotor position based on the course of the excitation current indicator quantity.- Determining the respective resulting values ​​of a stator current indicator quantity as Fourier coefficients of the stator current resulting from the voltage test signal with respect to the fundamental frequency of the voltage test signal at the corresponding space vector angles; and - Determining the rotor position based on the course of the stator current indicator quantity.