Sensorless Synchronous Machine Control Under Magnetic Saturation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional flux-based fundamental wave methods for sensorless control of synchronous machines face instability due to assumptions about inductance values being valid only at target operating points, leading to increased estimation errors and instability at higher currents, especially in machines with magnetic saturation.

Innovation Solution

The method employs SFC (Stator-frame Fixed Current) conditions, where the current in stator coordinates remains unchanged during rotor rotation, using the course of the flux vector to assign rotor position, creating SFC curves that account for current angles and magnetic saturation, thereby stabilizing the estimation control loop.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If conventional flux-based fundamental wave methods use assumptions about inductance values being valid only at target operating points, then the control method is simple to implement, but estimation errors increase and stability is lost at higher currents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol method complexityVSAvoidcontrol loop stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the inductance values adaptive rather than static. The d-axis and q-axis inductances are continuously updated based on the actual operating point (current magnitude and angle), allowing the control method to adapt to magnetic saturation effects at different operating conditions. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining simplicity through automated adaptation rather than complex manual tuning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters (inductance values) dynamically based on operating conditions. By updating d-axis and q-axis inductances according to the actual current operating point, the system accounts for magnetic saturation effects that vary with operating conditions. This parameter adaptation maintains control stability across the entire operating range while preserving the simplicity of the fundamental wave control approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If inductance values are determined only at target operating points, then measurement and calibration are simplified, but the method becomes inaccurate under magnetic saturation at varying current levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinductance measurement simplicityVSAvoid rotor position estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining d-axis and q-axis inductance values at multiple current operating points during the commissioning phase. These pre-calculated inductance values are stored and automatically selected based on the actual operating conditions during operation. This approach simplifies manufacturing by avoiding complex real-time measurements while ensuring high precision through pre-characterized inductance values that account for magnetic saturation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects appropriate inductance values based on the actual operating point rather than using fixed values. The inductance determination is made adaptive to operating conditions, allowing the system to maintain high measurement precision across varying current levels while keeping the commissioning process relatively simple through automated operating point detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If conventional methods assume inductance values are constant, then the control algorithm is computationally simple, but estimation errors increase at higher currents due to magnetic saturation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol calculation speedVSAvoid rotor position estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by continuously updating d-axis and q-axis inductance values based on the actual operating point during operation. This dynamic adaptation allows the control algorithm to account for magnetic saturation effects at different current levels while maintaining computational efficiency through structured update mechanisms. The system achieves both high calculation speed and improved precision by adapting inductance values rather than using constant assumptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the inductance parameters dynamically based on operating conditions. By updating d-axis and q-axis inductances according to the actual current operating point, the system maintains computational simplicity through parameter adaptation rather than complex calculations. This resolves the contradiction by achieving both fast control response and high estimation accuracy across the entire operating range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 stabilizes the sensorless control loop across varying current levels, preventing estimation errors and ensuring stable operation even at high currents, particularly in machines with pronounced magnetic saturation.

Implementation Method 1

the flux is first obtained from the integral of the voltage (minus ohmic component) over time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

In flux-based fundamental wave methods, the flux is first obtained from the integral of the voltage (minus ohmic component) over time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux linkage: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3826169B1Method and device for controlling a synchronous machine without a position sensor by means of a unique allocation of the flow linkage to the rotor position
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 KOSTAL DRIVES TECH GMBH
  • EP3826169B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3826169B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3826169B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A method for the unambiguous assignment of the magnetic flux linkage to the rotor position of a synchronous machine, comprising a stator and a rotor with or without permanent magnets, is presented. The synchronous machine is driven by pulsed terminal voltages, and the magnetic flux linkage is calculated from these voltages and the measured current response. The crucial aspect of this unambiguous assignment is that the flux linkage curve over the rotor rotation, under the boundary condition of a current vector that remains unchanged in stator coordinates and is at least two-dimensional, is used as the key information for position assignment. In contrast to previous methods, an assignment based on this curve offers the advantage that it can still unambiguously assign the rotor position even under high loads, in machines with strong magnetic saturation, and regardless of incorrect current application, thus ensuring the stability of the estimation-control loop.