Francesco Profumo

Bio: Francesco Profumo is an academic researcher from Polytechnic University of Turin. The author has contributed to research in topics: Induction motor & Vector control. The author has an hindex of 39, co-authored 215 publications receiving 8630 citations. Previous affiliations of Francesco Profumo include Instituto Politécnico Nacional & University of Bologna.

Multiphase induction motor drives - : a technology status review

Abstract: The area of multiphase variable-speed motor drives in general and multiphase induction motor drives in particular has experienced a substantial growth since the beginning of this century. Research has been conducted worldwide and numerous interesting developments have been reported in the literature. An attempt is made to provide a detailed overview of the current state-of-the-art in this area. The elaborated aspects include advantages of multiphase induction machines, modelling of multiphase induction machines, basic vector control and direct torque control schemes and PWM control of multiphase voltage source inverters. The authors also provide a detailed survey of the control strategies for five-phase and asymmetrical six-phase induction motor drives, as well as an overview of the approaches to the design of fault tolerant strategies for post-fault drive operation, and a discussion of multiphase multi-motor drives with single inverter supply. Experimental results, collected from various multiphase induction motor drive laboratory rigs, are also included to facilitate the understanding of the drive operation.

FOC and DTC: two viable schemes for induction motors torque control

Abstract: Field-oriented control and direct torque control are becoming the industrial standards for induction motors torque control. This paper is aimed at giving a contribution for a detailed comparison between the two control techniques, emphasizing advantages and disadvantages. The performance of the two control schemes is evaluated in terms of torque and current ripple, and transient response to step variations of the torque command. The analysis has been carried out on the basis of the results obtained by numerical simulations, where secondary effects introduced by hardware implementation are not present.

Direct torque control of induction machines using space vector modulation

Abstract: A direct induction machine torque control method based on predictive, deadbeat control of the torque and flux is presented. By estimating the synchronous speed and the voltage behind the transient reactance, the change in torque and flux over the switching period is calculated. The stator voltage required to cause the torque and flux to be equal to their respective reference values is calculated. Space vector PWM is used to define the inverter switching state. An alternative approach to deadbeat control for use in the transient or pulse-dropping mode is also presented. An alternative modulation scheme is presented in which transient performance is improved by specifying the inverter switching states and then calculating the required switched instants to maintain deadbeat control of the flux while reducing the torque error during the entire switching interval. A similar approach is used for a transient in the flux. The implementation of the control scheme using DSP-based hardware is described, with complete experimental results given. >

A comparison between the axial flux and the radial flux structures for PM synchronous motors

Abstract: The aim of this paper is the comparison of the axial flux (AF) structures versus the conventional radial flux (RF) structures for permanent-magnet synchronous motors. The comparison procedure is based on simple thermal considerations. Two motor typologies are chosen and compared in terms of delivered electromagnetic torque. The comparison is developed for different motor dimensions and the pole number influence is put into evidence. The paper reports the complete comparison procedure and the related results analysis. The obtained results show that, when the axial length is very short and the pole number is high, the AF motors can be an attractive alternative to the conventional RF solutions.

Improved current control strategy for power conditioners using sinusoidal signal integrators in synchronous reference frame

Abstract: In this paper, a current control scheme, based on proportional-integral regulators using sinusoidal signal integrators (SSIs), is proposed for shunt type power conditioners. The aim is to simplify the implementation of SSI-based current harmonic compensation for industrial implementations where strict limitations on the harmonic distortion of the mains' currents are required. To compensate current harmonics, the SSIs are implemented to operate both on positive and negative sequence signals. One regulator, for the fundamental current component, is implemented in the stationary reference frame. The other regulators, for the current harmonics, are all implemented in a synchronous reference frame rotating at the fundamental frequency. This allows the simultaneous compensation of two current harmonics with just one regulator, yielding a significant reduction of the computational effort compared with other current control methods employing sinusoidal signal integrators implemented in stationary reference frame. A simple and robust voltage filter is also proposed by the authors to obtain a smooth and accurate position estimation of the voltage vector at the point of common coupling (PCC) under distorted mains' voltages. The whole control algorithm has been implemented on a 16-b, fixed-point digital signal processor (DSP) platform controlling a 20-kVA power conditioner prototype. The experimental results presented in this paper for inductive and capacitive loads show the validity of the proposed solutions.

Recent Advances and Industrial Applications of Multilevel Converters

Abstract: Multilevel converters have been under research and development for more than three decades and have found successful industrial application. However, this is still a technology under development, and many new contributions and new commercial topologies have been reported in the last few years. The aim of this paper is to group and review these recent contributions, in order to establish the current state of the art and trends of the technology, to provide readers with a comprehensive and insightful review of where multilevel converter technology stands and is heading. This paper first presents a brief overview of well-established multilevel converters strongly oriented to their current state in industrial applications to then center the discussion on the new converters that have made their way into the industry. In addition, new promising topologies are discussed. Recent advances made in modulation and control of multilevel converters are also addressed. A great part of this paper is devoted to show nontraditional applications powered by multilevel converters and how multilevel converters are becoming an enabling technology in many industrial sectors. Finally, some future trends and challenges in the further development of this technology are discussed to motivate future contributions that address open problems and explore new possibilities.

Multiphase Electric Machines for Variable-Speed Applications

Abstract: Although the concept of variable-speed drives, based on utilization of multiphase machines, dates back to the late 1960s, it was not until the mid- to late 1990s that multiphase drives became serious contenders for various applications. These include electric ship propulsion, locomotive traction, electric and hybrid electric vehicles, ldquomore-electricrdquo aircraft, and high-power industrial applications. As a consequence, there has been a substantial increase in the interest for such drive systems worldwide, resulting in a huge volume of work published during the last ten years. An attempt is made in this paper to provide a brief review of the current state of the art in the area. After addressing the reasons for potential use of multiphase rather than three-phase drives and the available approaches to multiphase machine designs, various control schemes are surveyed. This is followed by a discussion of the multiphase voltage source inverter control. Various possibilities for the use of additional degrees of freedom that exist in multiphase machines are further elaborated. Finally, multiphase machine applications in electric energy generation are addressed.

Proportional-resonant controllers and filters for grid-connected voltage-source converters

Abstract: The recently introduced proportional-resonant (PR) controllers and filters, and their suitability for current/voltage control of grid-connected converters, are described. Using the PR controllers, the converter reference tracking performance can be enhanced and previously known shortcomings associated with conventional PI controllers can be alleviated. These shortcomings include steady-state errors in single-phase systems and the need for synchronous d-q transformation in three-phase systems. Based on similar control theory, PR filters can also be used for generating the harmonic command reference precisely in an active power filter, especially for single-phase systems, where d-q transformation theory is not directly applicable. Another advantage associated with the PR controllers and filters is the possibility of implementing selective harmonic compensation without requiring excessive computational resources. Given these advantages and the belief that PR control will find wide-ranging applications in grid-interfaced converters, PR control theory is revised in detail with a number of practical cases that have been implemented previously, described clearly to give a comprehensive reference on PR control and filtering.

Multiphase induction motor drives - : a technology status review

Abstract: The area of multiphase variable-speed motor drives in general and multiphase induction motor drives in particular has experienced a substantial growth since the beginning of this century. Research has been conducted worldwide and numerous interesting developments have been reported in the literature. An attempt is made to provide a detailed overview of the current state-of-the-art in this area. The elaborated aspects include advantages of multiphase induction machines, modelling of multiphase induction machines, basic vector control and direct torque control schemes and PWM control of multiphase voltage source inverters. The authors also provide a detailed survey of the control strategies for five-phase and asymmetrical six-phase induction motor drives, as well as an overview of the approaches to the design of fault tolerant strategies for post-fault drive operation, and a discussion of multiphase multi-motor drives with single inverter supply. Experimental results, collected from various multiphase induction motor drive laboratory rigs, are also included to facilitate the understanding of the drive operation.