Craig J. Nordby

Bio: Craig J. Nordby is an academic researcher from Westinghouse Electric. The author has contributed to research in topics: Induction motor & Inverter. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 3 publications receiving 267 citations.

Field-Oriented Control of a Standard AC Motor Using Microprocessors

Abstract: Field orientation has emerged as a powerful tool for controlling ac machines such as inverter-supplied induction motors. The dynamic performance of such a drive is comparable to that of a converterfed four quadrant dc drive. The complex functions required by filed-oriented control may be executed by microprocessors on line, thus greatly reducing the necessary control hardware. It is shown that the flux signals may be derived from sensing coils or, with some compromise in performance, from the stator voltages and currents. The speed signal is obtained from a digital tachometer. Results from a 2-kW experimental drive are given.

Offset compensation for harmonic neutralized static AC generator

Abstract: In an inverter system using parallel transformers to generate a reconstructed sinewave by harmonic neutralization method direct current offset in any of the transformers is eliminated by shifting one edge of one of the square pulses logically determining the conduction angle of the inverter A hall device mounted in an auxiliary reactor connected with the primary of the transformer is used to sense flux conditions during sampling periods which are in time relation with the logic period in the control of the inverter system and the detected flux asymmetry is used to control the ON-OFF ratio of such logic period thereby to compensate for the offset

Variable frequency static motor drive

Abstract: A variable speed static controlled induction motor is voltage regulated under variable frequency by controlling the inverters under constant pulse width while maintaining a constant volt-hertz ratio through the feedback voltage control loop.

A New Synchronous Current Regulator and an Analysis of Current-Regulated PWM Inverters

Abstract: Detailed models are presented for the stationary and synchronous sine-triangle current regulators. Analytical and test results are compared for purposes of model verification and regulator evaluation. The results demonstrate the limitations of the two most often used current regulators and the robustness of the synchronous current regulator. The stationary sine-triangle and hysteretic current regulators are shown to have steady-state characteristics that depend on slip, operating frequency, and motor impedance. In contrast the synchronous regulator, because it lacks these dependencies, exhibits ideal steady-state current regulator characteristics without sacrificing bandwidth. Moreover, the complexities traditionally associated with the synchronous regulator are overcome with a simple equivalent implementation.

Model Predictive Control: MPC's Role in the Evolution of Power Electronics

Abstract: The evolution of power electronics and its control has been mainly driven by industry applications and influenced by the development achieved in several technologies, such as power semiconductors, converter topologies, automatic control, and analog and digital electronics. Digital signal processors (DSPs), in particular, have experienced an exponential development in processing power, which until now has not been fully exploited for control purposes in power converters and drive applications. Presently, the control system technology finds itself in a paradigm-changing tipping point, in which more demanding control goals, system flexibility, and functionalities required by emerging applications are driving the control system technology development, in addition to stabilization and robustness, which was the main focus in the past. This article walks briefly through the history of the mainstream power converter control scene, with an emphasis on the more recent introduction of predictive control, and gives a glimpse on the challenges and possibilities ahead. Special attention is given to finite control set (FCS)-model predictive control (MPC), because of its simplicity, flexibility, inherent adaptation to power electronic circuits and their discrete nature, both in the finite amount of switching states and the digital implementation with microprocessors.

A stator flux oriented induction machine drive

Abstract: The sensitivity of the parameters of a rotor-flux-oriented system using rotor flux estimation is discussed, and a stator-flux-oriented scheme is developed. Since the estimation of the stator flux is independent of the leakage, the steady-state performance of the stator-flux-oriented system is insensitive to the leakage inductance. A decoupler is designed to minimize the coupling in the stator-flux reference frame, improving the dynamic performance of the system. Digital simulation is carried out to show that the performance of the stator-flux-oriented system is superior to that of a detuned rotor-flux-oriented system. >

Control of induction motors via feedback linearization with input-output decoupling

Abstract: In induction motor control, power efficiency is an important factor to be considered. We attempt to achieve both high dynamic performance and maximum power efficiency by means of linear decoupling of rotor speed (or motor torque) and rotor flux. The induction motor with our controller possesses the input-output dynamic characteristics of a linear system such that the rotor speed (or motor torque) and the rotor flux are decoupled. The rotor speed responses are not affected by abrupt changes in the rotor flux and vice versa. The rotor flux need not be measured but is estimated by the well known flux simulator. The effect of large variation in the rotor resistance on the control performances is minimized by employing a parameter adaptation method. To illuminate the significance of our work, we present simulation and experimental results as well as mathematical performance analyses. In particular, our experimental work demonstrates that recently developed nonlinear feedback control theories are of practical use.