METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM, AND CONTROLLER FOR CONTROLLING AN ELECTRICAL CONVERTER, ELECTRICAL CONVERTER, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM

Abstract

A method for controlling an electrical converter for driving an electrical machine comprises the steps of: estimating a stator flux vector depending on at least one measurement in the electrical converter; receiving a rotor speed of the electrical machine; determining an optimized pulse pattern for the electrical converter depending on the rotor speed; determining a rotor angle of a rotor flux vector depending on the rotor speed; determining a reference stator angle of the stator flux vector depending on the rotor angle; determining a reference stator flux vector depending on the optimized pulse pattern and the reference stator angle; determining a difference between the reference stator flux vector and the estimated stator flux vector; modifying switching instants of the optimized pulse pattern, such that the difference is minimized; and applying at least a part of the modified optimized pulse pattern to the electrical converter.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of high-power electronics. In particular, the disclosure relates to a method, a computer program, and a controller for controlling an electrical converter, and to an electrical converter and a computer-readable medium, on which the computer program may be stored.

BACKGROUND

Optimized pulse patterns (OPPs) relate to a specific pulse width modulation method. Offline computed and optimized pulse patterns may be used for modulating the semiconductor switches in an electrical converter. Based on the actual speed and flux reference (provided for example by an outer control loop), a controller may determine a best suited offline computed pulse pattern, which then may be applied to the semiconductor switches of the electrical converter. Offline computed optimized pulse patterns may allow the minimization of the overall current distortion for a given switching frequency.

When the electrical converter is used for driving an electrical machine, the harmonic losses in the stator winding of the electrical machine may be proportional to the current distortion, while the switching losses of the power inverter may related to the switching frequency. In a grid-connected converter setting, stringent standards may be imposed on the voltage and current distortions a converter may inject into the grid. Traditionally, it has only been possible to use optimized pulse patterns in a modulator driven by a very slow control loop. This may lead to very long transients and to harmonic excursions of the currents when changing the operating point.

EP 2 469 692 A1 describes a control method that combines the merits of direct torque control and optimized pulse patterns, by manipulating in real time the switching instants of the pre-computed optimized pulse patterns, so as to achieve fast closed-loop control. This so-called model predictive pulse pattern controller (MP³C) may address in a unified approach the tasks of the inner current control loop and modulator. MP³C may control a flux vector, which, in case of an electrical converter driving an electrical machine, is typically the stator flux linkage vector of the electrical machine. For grid-connected converters, the virtual converter flux may constitute the flux vector.

MP³C achieves short response times during transients, and a good rejection of disturbances. At steady-state operating conditions, due to the usage of optimized pulse patterns, a nearly optimal ratio of harmonic current distortions per switching frequency may be obtained. Compared to state-of-the-art trajectory controllers, MP³C may provide two advantages. First, a complicated observer structure to reconstruct the fundamental quantities may not be required. Instead, a flux space vector, which may be the controlled variable, may be estimated directly by sampling the currents and the DC-link voltage at regular sampling intervals. Second, by formulating an optimal control problem and using a receding horizon policy, the sensitivity to flux observer noise may be greatly reduced.

During transient operation, such as reference step or ramp changes, large disturbances and faults, the controlled variables, such as currents, electromagnetic torque and flux linkage, are typically required to change in a step-like fashion or they may have to follow a steep ramp. Examples may include fast torque steps in high performance drives and power steps in low-voltage ride through operation.

In MP³C, closed-loop control may be achieved by modifying the switching instants of the optimized pulse patterns' switching transitions in real time. More specifically, the switching transitions are modified in time, such that the flux error may be removed at a future time instant. Note that in optimized pulse patterns, the switching transitions are not evenly distributed in time. At very low switching frequencies, long time intervals may arise between two switching transitions. When a reference step is applied at the beginning of such a time interval, a significant amount of time may elapse before the controlled variables start to change, resulting in a long initial time delay and also prolonging the settling time.

Once the controlled variable has started to change, the transient response may be sluggish and significantly slower than when using deadbeat control or direct torque control, for example. The sluggish response is typically due to the absence of a suitable voltage vector that moves the controlled flux vector with the maximum speed and in the direction that ensures the fastest possible compensation of the torque or current error. In order to ensure a very fast transient response during a transient, at least one phase may need to be connected to the upper or lower DC-link rail of the converter. In a low-voltage ride through setting, for example, this may imply reversing the voltage in at least one phase from its maximal to its minimal value, or vice versa, during a major part of the transient.

Directly related to the behavior of sluggish transient responses is the issue of current excursions during transients. Such excursions may occur when the switching transitions, which are to be shifted in time so as to remove the flux error, are spread over a long time interval. This may increase the risk that the flux vector is not moved along the shortest path from its current to its new desired position. Instead, the flux vector may temporarily deviate from this path, exceeding its nominal magnitude. This may be equivalent to a large current, which may result in an over-current trip.

Related issues may also arise at quasi steady-state operating conditions, where small variations in the operating point and/or the inverter voltages occur. Specifically, fluctuations in the DC-link voltage, resistive voltage drops in the machine's stator windings or in the grid impedance and transitions between different pulse patterns may lead to a degradation of the closed-loop performance of MP³C, if they are not properly accounted for.

Particularly in cases, where the optimized pulse patterns' switching transitions exhibit an uneven distribution in time and when a very low switching frequency is used, these flux errors may not be accounted for in a timely fashion due to the absence of suitable switching transitions. As a result, large flux errors may arise that build up and persist over significant periods of time, leading to a poor tracking of the optimized pulse pattern's optimal flux trajectory. This may impact the total harmonic distortion of the current in a detrimental way.

With respect to the above problems, EP 2 891 241 B1 describes a method for using MP³C for drive systems, which has been proven a reliable method to regulate the rotor speed. In particular, EP 2 891 241 B1 describes a manipulation of the switching instants of the offline computed OPP in real time. However, to achieve so, the method and in particular MP³C relies on knowledge of the machine type and its parameters, and an accurate online estimation of the rotor flux. So, in order to be able to use MP³C, the machine type and its parameters had to be known and an accurate online estimation of the rotor flux had to be carried out. Thus, the machine type and its parameters had to be known when the controller for controlling the electrical machine is produced. So, it was not possible to produce and/or program a generally usable controller which may work for different machine types, wherein at least some of these different machine types were not known at the time of the production and/or, respectively programming of the controller. Moreover, some machine parameters may not be known or available at the time of commissioning of the converter drive system, and/or they may be time varying. In addition, accurately estimating the rotor flux online may require large processing resources and/or a relatively long time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

It is an object of the present disclosure to overcome the above-mentioned problems. In particular, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a method for controlling an electrical converter for driving an electrical machine, wherein the method may be carried out without any knowledge about the machine type of the electrical machine and its parameters, wherein the method is quick to commission, wherein the method only requires few processing resources, and/or wherein the method may be carried out quickly. Further, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a corresponding computer program, a corresponding controller for controlling an electrical converter, a corresponding an electrical converter, and a corresponding computer-readable medium.

These objects are achieved by the subject-matter of the independent claims. Further exemplary embodiments are evident from the dependent claims and the following description.

An aspect relates to a method for controlling an electrical converter for driving an electrical machine. The electrical converter may be an inverter or an active rectifier. It may be an indirect or a direct converter. In particular, the converter may be a high-power converter adapted for converting current with more than 100 A and/or 1000 V. The electrical machine may be an electric motor or a generator, or it may be operated as an electric motor in a first operation mode and as a generator in a second operation mode.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the method comprises the steps of: estimating a stator flux vector depending on at least one measurement in the electrical converter; receiving a rotor speed of the electrical machine; determining an optimized pulse pattern for the electrical converter depending on the rotor speed; determining a rotor angle of a rotor flux vector depending on the rotor speed; determining a reference stator angle of the stator flux vector depending on the rotor angle; determining a reference stator flux vector depending on the optimized pulse pattern and the reference stator angle; determining a difference between the reference stator flux vector and the estimated stator flux vector; modifying switching instants of the optimized pulse pattern, such that the difference is minimized; and applying at least a part of the modified optimized pulse pattern to the electrical converter.

This enables one to drive the electrical machine without knowing the machine type of the electrical machine and its parameters. Further, no online estimation of the rotor flux has to be carried out. Thus, the machine type and its parameters do not have to be known when the controller for carrying out the method is produced. So, the above method enables one to produce and/or program a generally usable controller which may work for different machine types, wherein at least some of these different machine types are not known at the time of the production and/or, respectively programming of the controller. In addition, no large processing resources and/or relatively long processing times are required for accurately estimating the rotor flux online.

The stator flux vector may be a stator flux linkage vector. The rotor speed may be measured by an encoder. The encoder may send the measured rotor speed, in particular a signal in which the measured rotor speed is encoded, to the controller for carrying out the above method, in particular for controlling the electrical converter. Then, the rotor speed, in particular the rotor speed signal, may be received by the controller.

According to an embodiment, the reference stator angle is determined depending on an angle difference between the rotor angle and a stator angle of the stator flux vector. The stator angle and the stator flux vector do not have to be determined for determining the angle difference. In contrast, the angle difference may be determined as explained in the following.

According to an embodiment, the method comprises estimating an electromagnetic torque depending on the at least one measurement in the electrical converter, and determining a reference electromagnetic torque depending on the rotor speed. The angle difference may be determined depending on the estimated electromagnetic torque and the determined reference electromagnetic torque.

According to an embodiment, the angle difference is determined from a torque error being a difference between the determined reference torque and the estimated electromagnetic torque.

According to an embodiment, the angle difference is determined with a proportional-integral (PI) controller from the torque error.

According to an embodiment, the rotor speed is measured with an encoder or estimated, e.g. by the integral of the stator voltage and/or the stator current.

According to an embodiment, the rotor angle is determined by integrating the angular rotor speed. The rotor angle may be a relative rotor angle and not an absolute rotor angle. Alternatively, the rotor angle may be the absolute rotor angle, wherein then a starting angle and a time period during which the angular rotor speed is integrated may have to be determined in advance. As a further alternative, the rotor angle may be measured with an encoder.

According to an embodiment, the optimized pulse pattern is determined depending on a modulation index and/or a maximum allowed switching frequency. The modulation index may be determined depending on a reference stator flux magnitude. The maximum allowed switching frequency may be determined in advance, e.g. empirically, e.g. by a manufacturer of the electrical converter and/or the controller.

According to an embodiment, the reference electromagnetic torque is determined from a rotor speed error being the difference between a reference angular rotor speed and the angular rotor speed.

According to an embodiment, the at least one measurement in the electrical converter comprises measuring a stator voltage and/or a stator current of the electrical converter. The stator flux vector may be estimated depending on the stator voltage and/or a stator current. Alternatively or additionally, the electromagnetic torque may be estimated depending on the stator voltage and/or a stator current.

According to an embodiment, the optimized pulse pattern comprises a sequence of switching transitions at switching instants between different switching states of the converter. The optimized pulse pattern may be loaded from a table of optimized pulse patterns stored in the controller performing the above method. The table of optimized pulse patterns may be indexed with respect to the modulation index. Optionally, the table of optimized pulse patterns may be indexed with respect to the maximal switching frequency. For each optimized pulse pattern in the table, switching transitions at switching instants may be stored. Optionally, for each optimized pulse pattern in the table a reference stator flux may be stored.

Another aspect relates to a computer program, which when being executed on a processor, e.g. a processor of the controller, is adapted for executing the steps of the above method.

Another aspect relates to a computer-readable medium in which the computer program is stored. The computer-readable medium may be a floppy disk, a hard disk, an USB (Universal Serial Bus) storage device, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). The computer-readable medium may also be a data communication network, e.g. the Internet, which allows downloading a program code.

Another aspect relates to a controller for controlling the electrical converter adapted for executing the steps of the above method. For example, the control method, i.e. the above method, may be implemented on any computational hardware including DSPs, FPGAs, microcontrollers, CPUs, GPUs, multi-core platforms, and combinations thereof. In particular, the controller may comprise a memory in which the above-mentioned computer program is stored and may comprise the processor for executing the computer program.

Another aspect relates to an electrical converter, comprising a plurality of semiconductor switches and the above controller adapted for controlling the semiconductor switches of the electrical converter. The converter may be any multi-level power converter, such as a two-level converter, a three-level converter, a neutral point clamped three-level converter, a flying-capacitor four-level converter, a five-level converter, a cascaded H-bridge five-level converter, a modular multi-level converter, etc.

The electrical converter may be used on the machine side and/or on the grid side. For example, in the machine side case, the controller may control the electrical machine's stator flux vector along a pre-defined and optimal trajectory. A sine filter with inductive and capacitive elements and/or a long cable may be present between the electrical converter and the electrical machine. The controlled variables may comprise the electromagnetic torque and/or the magnitudes of the stator vectors. In the grid side case, the electrically converter may be connected via a sine filter and/or a transformer to the grid. The electrical converter's virtual flux vector may be controlled along a given trajectory by manipulating the converter switches. The controlled variables may comprise the real and/or the reactive power and/or the converter currents and/or the virtual converter flux.

It has to be understood that features of the method as described in the above and in the following may be features of the computer program, the computer-readable medium, the controller, and/or the electrical converter as described in the above and in the following.

These and other aspects of the disclosure will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject-matter of the present disclosure will be explained in more detail in the following text, with reference to exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a circuit representation of an induction machine model in a rotating dq-reference frame for a d-axis.

FIG. 2 shows a circuit representation of an induction machine model in the rotating dq-reference frame of FIG. 1 for a q-axis.

FIG. 3 illustrates a definition of the rotating dq-reference frame of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 shows a circuit representation of a permanent-magnet synchronous machine in the rotating dq-reference frame of FIG. 3 for a d-axis.

FIG. 5 shows a circuit representation of a permanent-magnet synchronous machine in the rotating dq-reference frame of FIG. 3 for a q-axis.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a switching pattern modification by MP³C.

FIG. 7 schematically shows an electrical system with a converter according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 schematically shows a torque controller module according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for controlling an electrical converter for driving an electrical machine.

The reference symbols used in the drawings and their meanings are listed in the summary form in the list of reference symbols. In principle, identical parts are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a circuit representation of an induction machine model in a rotating dq-reference frame for a d-axis.

FIG. 2 shows a circuit representation of an induction machine model in the rotating dq-reference frame of FIG. 1 for a q-axis.

FIG. 3 illustrates a definition of the rotating dq-reference frame of FIGS. 1 and 2.

The dq-reference frame rotates with the angular stator frequency ω_s, with its d-axis position denoted by φ_s. An electrical angular rotor speed is ω_rpω_m, where p is a number of pole pairs of an electrical machine 18 (see FIG. 7) and ω_m is a mechanical angular speed of the rotor and shaft of the electrical machine 18. By principle of operation, ω_r≠ω_s due to a slip of the electrical machine 18. A stator voltage vs is given by ν_s=[ν_sd, ν_sq]^T, a stator (rotor) current i_s (i_r) is given by i_s=[i_sd, i_sq]^T (i_r=[i_rd, i_rq]^T), and a stator (rotor) flux vector ψ_s (ψ_r) is given by ψ_s=[ψ_sd, ψ_sq]^T (ψ_r=[ψ_rd, ψ_rq]^T). The stator (rotor) flux vector ψ_s (ψ_r) may be referred to as stator (rotor) flux linkage vector. A stator (rotor) winding resistance R_s(R_r) is denoted by R_s=diag(r_s,r_s) (R_r=diag(r_r,r_r)), a magnetizing reactance X_m is denoted by X_m=diag(x_m,x_m) and a stator (rotor) leakage reactance X_is(X_ir) is denoted by X_is=diag(x_is,x_is) (X_lr=diag(x_lr,x_lr)). All quantities, including time t, are normalized in a per unit (p.u.) system.

Using Kirchoff's voltage law, the stator (rotor) voltage ν_s(ν_r) is given by

$\begin{array}{cc}\begin{array}{c}{v}_s=R_s{i}_s+\frac{d{\psi }_s}{\mathrm{dt}}+{\omega }_s\left[\begin{array}{cc}0& -1\\ 1& 0\end{array}\right]{\psi }_s,\\ v_s=R_r{i}_r+\frac{d{\psi }_r}{\mathrm{dt}}+\left({\omega }_s-{\omega }_r\right)\left[\begin{array}{cc}0& -1\\ 1& 0\end{array}\right],\end{array}& \left(1\right)\end{array}$

Here, the inverter voltage applied to the stator is given by

$\begin{array}{cc}{v}_a=\left[\begin{array}{c}{v}_{\mathrm{sd}}\\ v_{\mathrm{sq}}\end{array}\right]=P\left({\varphi }_s\right)v_{\mathrm{abc}}& \left(1\right)\end{array}$ $\mathrm{and}$ $\begin{array}{cc}P\left({\varphi }_s\right)=\left[\begin{array}{ccc}\cos \left({\varphi }_s\right)& \cos \left({\varphi }_s-\frac{2m}{3}\right)& \cos \left({\varphi }_s+\frac{2\pi }{3}\right)\\ -\sin \left({\varphi }_s\right)& -\sin \left({\varphi }_s-\frac{2\pi }{3}\right)& -\sin \left({\varphi }_s+\frac{2\pi }{3}\right)\end{array}\right]& \left(3\right)\end{array}$

• • is the matrix used to transform quantities from an abc-reference frame into the dq-reference frame. The stator and rotor flux vectors ψ_s, ψ_r are given by

$\begin{array}{cc}\begin{array}{c}{\psi }_s=X_s{i}_s+X_m{i}_r\\ {\psi }_r=X_r{i}_r+X_m{i}_a\end{array}& \left(4\right)\end{array}$

• • where X_s=X_ls+X_m and X_r=X_lr+X_m are the stator and, respectively, rotor linkage reactances X_s, X_r. An electromagnetic torque T_e of the electrical machine 18 is given by

$\begin{array}{cc}{T}_e=\frac{1}{\mathrm{pf}}{\psi }_s\times i_s& \left(5\right)\end{array}$

• • where pf is a power factor. Using formula (4), formula (5) may be written as

$\begin{array}{cc}\begin{array}{c}{T}_e=\frac{1}{\mathrm{pf}}\frac{\mathrm{xm}}{x_s{x}_r-x_m^2}{\psi }_r\times {\psi }_s\\ =\frac{1}{\mathrm{pf}}\frac{x_m}{x_s{x}_r-x_m^2}{\psi }_s{\psi }_r\sin \left(\gamma \right)\end{array}& \left(6\right)\end{array}$

• • where γ is an angle between stator and rotor flux linkage vectors ψ_s, ψ_r.

FIG. 4 shows a circuit representation of a permanent-magnet synchronous machine in the rotating dq-reference frame of FIG. 3 for a d-axis.

FIG. 5 shows a circuit representation of a permanent-magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) in the rotating dq-reference frame of FIG. 3 for a q-axis.

The dq-reference frame rotates with the angular stator speed ω_s. By principle of operation, ω_s=ω_r. It may be assumed that the d-axis is aligned with the orientation of the permanent magnet mounted on the rotor of the PMSM. Hence, the rotor flux vector ψ_r is given by

$\begin{array}{cc}{\psi }_r=\left[\begin{array}{c}{\psi }_{\mathrm{rd}}\\ {\psi }_{\mathrm{rq}}\end{array}\right]=\left[\begin{array}{c}{x}_{\mathrm{md}}{i}_m\\ 0\end{array}\right]=\left[\begin{array}{c}{\Psi }_{\mathrm{PM}}\\ 0\end{array}\right]& \left(7\right)\end{array}$

• • where i_m is a hypothetical constant magnetization current flowing through the magnetizing inductance x_md. A constant magnetic flux linkage is denoted by Ψ_PM and is generated by a permanent magnet of the electrical machine 18. The stator flux vector ψ_s is given by

$\begin{array}{cc}{\psi }_s=X_s{i}_s+{\psi }_r.& \left(8\right)\end{array}$

Applying Kirchoff's voltage law, the dynamics of the stator voltage ν_s are given by

$\begin{array}{cc}{v}_s=R_s{i}_s+\frac{d{\psi }_s}{\mathrm{dt}}+{\omega }_s\left[\begin{array}{cc}0& -1\\ 1& 0\end{array}\right]{\psi }_s.& \left(9\right)\end{array}$

The electromagnetic torque T_e is given by

$\begin{array}{cc}\begin{array}{c}{T}_e=\frac{1}{\mathrm{pf}}{\psi }_s\times i_s\\ =\frac{1}{\mathrm{pf}}{\psi }_s\times X_s^{-1}\left({\psi }_s-{\psi }_r\right)\\ =\frac{1}{\mathrm{pf}}\frac{1}{x_{\mathrm{sd}}}\left(\frac{x_{\mathrm{sd}}-x_{\mathrm{sq}}}{x_{\mathrm{sq}}}{\psi }_{\mathrm{sd}}+{\psi }_{\mathrm{rd}}\right){\psi }_{\mathrm{sq}}\end{array}& \left(10\right)\end{array}$

Note that due to the saliency of the electrical machine 18, the electromagnetic torque T_e is also a function of the d-component of the stator flux. Recalling that the d-axis of the rotating dq-reference frame is aligned with the rotor flux vector ψ_r, the stator flux vector ψ_s may be expressed by ψ_s=[∥ψ_s∥ cos(γ), ∥ψ_s∥ sin(γ)]^T.

Then, formula (10) may be written as

$\begin{array}{cc}{T}_e=\frac{1}{\mathrm{pf}}\frac{1}{x_{\mathrm{sd}}}\left(\frac{1}{2}\frac{x_{\mathrm{sd}}-x_{\mathrm{sq}}}{x_{\mathrm{sq}}}{{\psi }_s}^2\sin \left(2\gamma \right)+{\Psi }_{\mathrm{PM}}{\psi }_s\sin \left(\gamma \right)\right)& \left(11\right)\end{array}$

• • where γ is the angle between stator and rotor flux vectors ψ_s, ψ_r.

Optimized pulse patterns (OPPs) relate to a specific pulse width modulation (PWM) method which enables minimization of the harmonic current distortions for a given switching frequency and are well known in the art. Compared with carrier-based PWM, the use of OPPs results in a lower switching frequency of semiconductor devices of an electrical converter for a given current total harmonic distortion (THD), in a lower current THD for a given switching frequency which implies lower machine losses of the electrical machine, and in lower machine inductances or smaller LC filters during the system design phase as an effect of the ability of OPPs to shape the current harmonic spectrum.

Hence, it can be inferred that the use of OPPs lifts the artificial and unnecessary constraint of a fixed modulation interval imposed in carrier-based PWM when optimizing the system during design and operation.

To enable the use of OPPs in electrical drive systems, the concept of model predictive pulse pattern control (MP³C) has been described in EP 2 469 692 A1. MP³C controls the position of the stator flux vector ψ_s of the electrical machine 18 along an optimal flux trajectory, which is the integral of the OPP voltage waveform overtime. It achieves this by manipulating in real time the switching instants of the offline computed OPP, as described in EP 2 891 241 B1.

A control objective of a drive system may be to achieve a regulation of the electrical angular rotor speed ω_r to the desired reference value ω*_r. This may be achieved by appropriately adjusting the angle between stator and rotor flux vector ψ_s, ψ_r which may be computed by solving a nonlinear trigonometric equation (c.f., (6) and (11)) that depends on the type of the electrical machine 18, machine parameters, and/or the rotor flux vector ψ_r, e.g. on its orientation and/or magnitude. The electrical machine 18 may for example be an induction machine or permanent magnet machine. The machine parameters may for example be magnetizing and leakage inductances. However, acquiring knowledge of these quantities is a hard task in several applications, while robustness of the system is hindered by a false estimation of them.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a switching pattern modification by a MP³C as described in the above-mentioned prior art. An inner feedback loop of MP³C is responsible for driving the stator flux vector ψ_s towards the reference stator flux vector ψ*_s. This task may be achieved by a pattern controller module 36 (see FIG. 7), which may modify switching instants of the OPP to compensate for the difference between the stator flux vector ψ_s and the reference stator flux vector ψ*_s. A resulting pulse pattern may be encoded in a switching signal u_abc (see FIG. 7) and may be used for driving the semiconductor switches of the electrical converter 12 (see FIG. 7). To illustrate this control principle, a two-level converter with stator flux vector ψ_s in phase a may be given by

$\begin{array}{cc}{\psi }_{\mathrm{sa}}\left(t\right)={\psi }_{\mathrm{sa}}\left(0\right)+\underset{0}{\stackrel{t}{\int }}{v}_a\left(r\right)\mathrm{dr},& \left(12\right)\end{array}$

• • where ν_a(t) ∈{−V_dc/2, V_dc/2}, with V_dc denoting the voltage of a dc-link 16 (see FIG. 7). Here, it is implicitly assumed that the stator resistance is negligible. It is noted that formula (12) may be used by an observer module 22 to compute the actual stator flux vector ψ_s. Let ν_a(0) ∈{−V_dc/2, V_dc/2} be the voltage output at t_a=0 and assume that a switching transition Δν_a={ν_dc, V_dc} may occur at time t_a∈(0, t). So, the reference stator flux vector ψ*_s may be given by

$\begin{array}{cc}\begin{array}{c}{\psi }_{\mathrm{sa}}^{*}\left(t\right)={\psi }_{\mathrm{sa}}\left(0\right)+\underset{0}{\stackrel{t_a}{\int }}{v}_a\left(0\right)\mathrm{dr}+\underset{t_a}{\stackrel{t}{\int }}\left(v_a\left(0\right)+\Delta r_a\right)\mathrm{dr}\\ ={\psi }_{\mathrm{sa}}\left(0\right)+v_a\left(0\right)t_a+\left(v_a\left(0\right)+\Delta v_a\right)\left(t-t_a\right).\end{array}& \left(13\right)\end{array}$

If this switching instant is delayed or forwarded by a time interval Ata, i.e. the switching instant occurs at time t_a+Δt_a, this results in

$\begin{array}{cc}\begin{array}{c}{\psi }_{\mathrm{sa}}\left(t\right)={\psi }_{\mathrm{sa}}\left(0\right)+\underset{0}{\stackrel{t_a+\Delta t_a}{\int }}{v}_a\left(0\right)\mathrm{dr}+\underset{t_a+\Delta t_s}{\stackrel{t}{\int }}\left(v_a\left(0\right)+\Delta v_a\right)\mathrm{dr}\\ ={\psi }_{\mathrm{sa}}\left(0\right)+v_a\left(0\right)\left(t_a+\Delta v_a\right)+\left(v_a\left(0\right)+\Delta v_a\right)(\left(t-t_a-\Delta t_a\right)\\ ={\psi }_{\mathrm{sa}}^{*}\left(t\right)+\Delta v_a\Delta t_a.\end{array}& \left(14\right)\end{array}$

This implies that

$\begin{array}{cc}\Delta {\psi }_{\mathrm{sa}}\left(t\right)=\Delta v_a\Delta t_a.& \left(15\right)\end{array}$

Hence, based on the difference between the measured stator flux vector ψ_s and the reference stator flux vector ψ*_s the pattern controller 36 may decide whether there is a need to delay or advance the OPP switching instants. Although this section illustrates the basic principle of operation of the pattern controller, the actual implementation may be more complicated, including functionalities such as pulse insertion which may allow for fast control of the stator flux during transients and to achieve disturbance rejection.

FIG. 7 shows an electrical system 10 comprising an electrical converter 12, a DC link, an electrical machine 18, and a controller 20. The electrical converter 12 comprises several semiconductor switches (not shown) and interconnects the DC link 16 with the electrical machine 18. The electrical converter 12 may be controlled by the controller 20. The electrical converter 12 may be an inverter. It may be a voltage source or a current source converter 12. In particular, the converter 12 may be a high-power converter adapted for converting current with more than 100 A and/or 1000 V. The electrical machine 18 may be an electric motor or a generator, or may be operated as an electric motor in a first operation mode and as a generator in a second operation mode.

As explained in the following, the controller 20 embodies a Model-Free Vector Pulse Pattern Control (MF-VPPC) scheme based on OPPs that operates without the use of any information regarding the machine type, machine parameters or rotor flux vector of the electrical machine 18. The MF-VPPC scheme provides a regulation of the electrical angular rotor speed ω_r to its reference value ω*_r. Unlike its MP³C counterpart, MF-VPPC achieves this task without relying on any information regarding the machine type and its parameters. The control diagram of the proposed MF-VPPC scheme is described below and depicted in FIG. 8.

The controller 20 comprises an observer module 22 that may receive an output current i_s and/or an output voltage ν_s of the electrical converter 12. The output current i_s and/or an output voltage ν_s may be inputs to the electrical motor 18 and/or may be measured at corresponding outputs of the electrical converter 12. The observer module 22 may also receive a DC-link voltage of the DC-link 16 and/or a switching signal u_abc, in which three-phase switch positions are encoded, to reconstruct the output voltage ν_s applied to input terminals of the electrical machine 18, instead of receiving the measured output voltage ν_s.

A rotor speed ω_r of the electrical machine 18 may be measured by an encoder 23. Alternatively, the rotor speed may be estimated, e.g. by the integral of the stator voltage and/or the stator current.

The rotor speed ω_r may also be used by the observer module 22. Based on these quantities, the observer module 22 may estimate a stator flux vector ψ_s and an electromagnetic torque T_e of the electrical machine 18.

A speed controller module 24 of the controller 20 may receive a difference between a reference speed or ω*_r and the rotor speed co, and it may determine a reference electromagnetic torque T*_e therefrom, which may be an input to a torque controller module 26 of the controller. A task of the speed controller module 24 may be to regulate the rotor speed ω_r to its reference speed ω*_r by modifying the reference electromagnetic torque T*_e. The speed controller module 24 may comprise or may be a proportional-integral (PI) controller.

The torque controller module 26 may determine a reference stator angle θ*_s depending on the reference electromagnetic torque T*_e and the electromagnetic torque T_e as explained with respect to FIG. 8.

A flux reference module 28 may determine a reference stator flux vector ψ*_s, which lies on an optimal flux trajectory, and may have a desired angle and a desired magnitude. In particular, the optimal flux trajectory may be obtained by integrating a pre-calculated optimized pulse pattern OPP that is selected by a pattern loader module 32 of the controller 20 based on a modulation index m provided by a modulation index module 30 of the controller 20 and a maximum allowed switching frequency {circumflex over (f)}_sw of the electrical converter 12. The maximum allowed switching frequency {circumflex over (f)}_sw of the electrical converter 12 may be determined in advance and may be stored on a memory (not shown) of the controller 20.

The modulation index module 30 may provide at its output the desired modulation index m. The modulation index module 30 may determine the modulation index m depending on the rotor speed ω_r. In case of the electrical machine 18 being an induction machine for which ω_r≠ω_s, there will be a difference, which may be referred to as steady state error, between the estimated stator flux vector ψ_s and the reference stator flux vector ψ*_s. To compensate for this steady state error, the modulation index module 30 may be augmented with an integral term as well.

The pattern controller module 36 may be a conventional pattern controller module 36, e.g. as described in the above-mentioned prior art. The pattern controller module 36 may provide one, two or more functionalities as described above with respect to FIG. 6. The pattern controller module 36 may generate the vector of switch positions encoded in the switching signal u_abc that may be applied to the converter 12.

FIG. 8 schematically shows the above torque controller module 26 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The torque controller module 26 enables the model-free pulse pattern control scheme based on OPPs to operate without the use of any information regarding the machine type, machine parameters or rotor flux vector of the electrical machine 18. The torque controller module 26 comprises an integration module 38 and a controller 40, which may be a proportional-integral (PI) controller.

The estimated electromagnetic torque T_e may be compared to its reference value T*_e, and the error may be passed to a proportional-integral controller which may generate an angle difference γ. In particular, the torque controller module 26 may calculate a difference between the determined reference electromagnetic torque T*_e and the estimated electromagnetic torque T_e. The difference may be referred to as torque error. The PI controller 40 may determine the angle difference γ depending on the torque error. The angle difference γ may correspond to an angle between the reference stator flux vector ψ*_s and a rotor flux vector.

A rotor angle θ_r of the rotor flux vector may be determined by integrating the rotor speed ω_r, e.g. by the integrator 38. A reference stator angle θ*_s of the reference stator flux vector ψ*_s may be obtained by adding the angle difference γ to the rotor angle θ_r of the rotor flux vector.

FIG. 9 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for controlling the electrical converter 12 for driving the electrical machine 18. The method may be carried out by the controller 20.

In the following, normalized quantities are used and it is focused on a three-phase inverter 12 connected to an electrical machine 18. However, it has to be understood that the following embodiments also may be applied to an inverter connected to a general p-phase load or to a grid-connected converter connected to a power grid, in which the converter may be grid forming by setting the amplitude and frequency of the grid voltage. Additional passive elements, such as filters, transformers and/or cables may be added.

In a step S2, the stator flux vector ψ_s may be estimated depending on at least one measurement in the electrical converter 12, e.g. by the observer 22. The at least one measurement in the electrical converter 12 may comprise measuring the stator voltage ν_s and/or the stator current is of the electrical converter 12. Then, the stator flux vector ψ_s may be estimated depending on the stator voltage ν_s and/or the stator current is, e.g. by the above formulas (1) or (9).

In a step S3, the rotor speed ω_r of the electrical machine 18 may be received. For example, the rotor speed ω_r may be measured by the encoder 23 and transferred to the controller 20.

In a step S4, the optimized pulse pattern OPP for the electrical converter 12 may be determined depending on the rotor speed ω_r, e.g. as described in EP 2 469 692 A1. For example, the optimized pulse pattern OPP may be determined depending on the modulation index m and/or the maximum allowed switching frequency {circumflex over (f)}_sw, e.g. by the pattern loader module 32, wherein the modulation index m may be determined depending on a reference stator flux magnitude ψ*_s. The optimized pulse pattern OPP may comprise a sequence of switching transitions 42 at switching instants between different switching states of the converter 12. The determined optimized pulse pattern OPP may be loaded from a table of optimized pulse patterns. The table of optimized pulse patterns may be stored in a memory of the controller 20. The table of optimized pulse patterns may be indexed with respect to the modulation index m, and optionally with respect to the maximum allowed switching frequency {circumflex over (f)}_sw. For each optimized pulse pattern OPP in the table, switching transitions at switching instants may be stored.

In a step S6, the rotor angle θ_r of the rotor flux vector may be determined depending on the rotor speed ω_r, e.g. by the integrator 38.

In a step S8 the reference stator angle θ*_s of the stator flux vector ψ_s may be determined depending on the rotor angle θ_r, e.g. by the torque controller module 26. For example, the reference stator angle θ*_s may be determined depending on the angle difference γ between the rotor angle θ_r and a stator angle θ_s of the stator flux vector ψ_s. The angle difference γ may be determined depending on the estimated electromagnetic torque T_e and the determined reference electromagnetic torque T*_e, e.g. by the PI controller 40. The angle difference γ may be determined from the difference between the determined reference electromagnetic torque T*_e and the estimated electromagnetic torque T_e. The difference between the determined reference electromagnetic torque T*_e and the estimated electromagnetic torque T_e may be referred to as torque error. The angle difference γ may be determined with the PI controller 40 from the torque error. The electromagnetic torque T_e may be estimated depending on the at least one measurement in the electrical converter 12, e.g. depending on the stator current is and/or the stator voltage ν_s, e.g. by the observer 22, e.g. by the formulas (5) or (10). The reference electromagnetic torque T*_e may be determined depending on the rotor speed ω_r, e.g. by the speed controller module 24. For example, the reference electromagnetic torque T*_e may be determined from a difference between the reference angular rotor speed or ω*_r and the angular rotor speed ω_r. The difference between the reference angular rotor speed ω*_r and the angular rotor speed ω_r may be referred to as rotor speed error.

In a step S10, the reference flux vector ψ*_p may be determined depending on the optimized pulse pattern OPP and the reference stator angle θ*_s, e.g. by the flux reference module 28.

In a step S12, the difference between the reference stator flux vector ψ*_s and the estimated stator flux vector ψ_s, i.e. the stator flux error, may be determined, e.g. by the controller 20.

In a step S14, the switching instants of the optimized pulse pattern OPP may be modified, e.g. by the pattern controller module 36, e.g. such that the stator flux error is minimized, e.g. as explained above and/or described in EP 2 891 241 B1.

In a step S16, at least a part of the modified optimized pulse pattern OPP, e.g. by the switching signal u_abc, may be applied to the electrical converter 12, e.g. by the pattern controller module 36.

The functional modules may be implemented as programmed software modules or procedures, respectively; however, someone skilled in the art will understand that the functional modules may be implemented fully or partially in hardware.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or controller or other unit may fulfil the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an electrical converter for driving an electrical machine, the method comprising: estimating a stator flux vector based on on at least one measurement in the electrical converter;receiving a rotor speed of the electrical machine;determining an optimized pulse pattern for the electrical converter based on the rotor speed;determining a rotor angle of a rotor flux vector based on on the rotor speed;determining a reference stator angle of the stator flux vector based on the rotor angle;determining a reference stator flux vector based on the optimized pulse pattern and the reference stator angle;determining a difference between the reference stator flux vector and the estimated stator flux vector;modifying switching instants of the optimized pulse pattern, such that the difference is minimized; andapplying at least a part of the modified optimized pulse pattern to the electrical converter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the reference stator angle is determined based on an angle difference between the rotor angle and a stator angle of the stator flux vector.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: estimating an electromagnetic torque based on the at least one measurement in the electrical converter; anddetermining a reference electromagnetic torque based on the rotor speed,wherein the angle difference is determined based on the estimated electromagnetic torque and the determined reference electromagnetic torque.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein: the angle difference is estimated from a torque error, wherein the torque error comprises a difference between the determined reference electromagnetic torque and the estimated electromagnetic torque.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein: the angle difference is determined with a proportional-integral controller from the torque error.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein: the rotor speed is measured with an encoder or estimated based on the integral of the stator voltage and/or the stator current.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein: the rotor angle is determined by integrating the angular rotor speed.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein: the optimized pulse pattern is determined based on a modulation index and/or a maximum allowed switching frequency,the modulation index is determined based on a reference stator flux magnitude.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein: the reference electromagnetic torque is determined from a rotor speed error, wherein the rotor speed error comprises the difference between a reference angular rotor speed and the angular rotor speed.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein: the at least one measurement in the electrical converter comprises measuring a stator voltage and/or a stator current of the electrical converter; andthe stator flux vector is estimated based on the stator voltage and/or a stator current; and/orthe electromagnetic torque is estimated based on the stator voltage and/or a stator current.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein: the optimized pulse pattern comprises a sequence of switching transitions at switching instants between different switching states of the converter,the optimized pulse pattern is loaded from a table of optimized pulse patterns stored in a controller performing the method,the table of optimized pulse patterns is indexed with respect to the modulation index, andfor each optimized pulse pattern in the table, switching transitions at switching instants are stored.

12. A computer program, which when being executed by a processor, the processor is configured to execute the steps of the method of claim 1.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium in which a computer program according to claim 10 is stored.

14. A controller for controlling an electrical converter configured to implement the steps of the method of claim 1.

15. An electrical converter, comprising: a plurality of semiconductor switches; andthe controller according to claim 14 configured to control the semiconductor switches of the electrical converter.

16. An electrical machine, comprising: an electrical converter configured to drive the electrical machine; anda controller configured to: estimate a stator flux vector based on at least one measurement in the electrical converter;receive a rotor speed of the electrical machine;determine an optimized pulse pattern for the electrical converter based on the rotor speed;determine a rotor angle of a rotor flux vector based on the rotor speed;determine a reference stator angle of the stator flux vector based on the rotor angle;determine a reference stator flux vector based on the optimized pulse pattern and the reference stator angle;determine a difference between the reference stator flux vector and the estimated stator flux vector;modify switching instants of the optimized pulse pattern, such that the difference is minimized; andapply at least a part of the modified optimized pulse pattern to the electrical converter.

17. The electrical machine of claim 16, wherein: the controller is further configured to determine the reference stator angle based on an angle difference between the rotor angle and a stator angle of the stator flux vector.

18. The electrical machine of claim 17, wherein the controller is further configured to: estimate an electromagnetic torque based on the at least one measurement in the electrical converter; anddetermine a reference electromagnetic torque based on the rotor speed,wherein the angle difference is determined based on the estimated electromagnetic torque and the determined reference electromagnetic torque.

19. The electrical machine of claim 18, wherein: the controller is further configured to estimate the angle difference based on a torque error, wherein the torque error comprises a difference between the determined reference electromagnetic torque and the estimated electromagnetic torque.

20. The electrical machine of claim 19, wherein: the controller is further configured to determine the angle difference based on the torque error utilizing a proportional-integral controller.