Method for calculating inertia moment and driver for electric motor

Abstract

An electric motor is rotated at a velocity ω1. After that, during Δt12 seconds, the 1st acceleration is executed at a rate (ω2−ω1)/Δt12. During this acceleration, the torque τm is calculated so as to execute the time integration. After the lapse of Δt12, the integrated result is stored. Next, the velocity is set to be ω3. After that, during Δt34 seconds, the 2nd acceleration is executed at a rate (ω4−ω3)/Δt34. At the 2nd acceleration, although the integration-starting and the integration-terminating velocities are each equal to those at the 1st acceleration, the acceleration rate is modified (ω3=ω1, ω4=ω2, Δt12≠Δt34). During this acceleration, the torque τm is calculated so as to execute the time integration, after the lapse of Δt34, storing the integrated result. The inertia J is calculated using the 1st and 2nd integrated results.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an inertia calculating method and an electric motor driver. More particularly, it relates to the inertia moment (inertia) calculating method and the electric motor driver at the time of executing the velocity control of an inductive electric motor.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] When executing the velocity control of an electric motor, the mechanical inertia becomes necessary as a control constant. As a prior art for measuring the inertia, JP-A-61-88780 has disclosed the following method: The acceleration and the deceleration are executed at the velocity-changing rates the absolute values of which are the same in the same velocity differences (their velocity width Δωr). Then, the acceleration torque τac and the deceleration torque τd are calculated from the respective torque proportion signals so as to calculate the inertia J from the integrated quantities of the respective torques during the acceleration and the deceleration. Hereinafter, the method will be explained in detail:

[0005] FIG. 4 is a diagram for illustrating the motor torque τm, the load torque τL, and the acceleration torque τac in the case of performing the calculation of the inertia J in accordance with the prior art. In FIG. 4, letting the motor machine's angular velocity be abbreviated as ω, the relation holding between J and the torques is given by the equation (1): 1$\begin{array}{cc}J\frac{d\omega }{dt}={\tau }_m-{\tau }_L={\tau }_{ac}& \left(1\right)\end{array}$

[0006] The velocity difference Δω caused by the acceleration at the acceleration time-period is equal to the velocity difference Δω caused by the deceleration at the deceleration time-period. Integrating both sides of the equation (1) to determine J from the torques at the acceleration and the deceleration time-periods, J is given by the equation (2): 2$\begin{array}{cc}J=\frac{\underset{\mathrm{ta2}}{\stackrel{\mathrm{ta1}}{\int }}\left({\tau }_m-{\tau }_L\right)dt}{\mathrm{\Delta \omega }}=\frac{\underset{\mathrm{ta3}}{\stackrel{\mathrm{ta4}}{\int }}\left({\tau }_m-{\tau }_L\right)dt}{-\mathrm{\Delta \omega }}& \left(2\right)\end{array}$

[0007] Determining once again J by averaging the above-described J values calculated at the acceleration and the deceleration time-periods, J is represented by the equation (3): 3$\begin{array}{cc}J=\frac{1}{2}\left\{\frac{\underset{\mathrm{ta1}}{\stackrel{\mathrm{ta2}}{\int }}\left({\tau }_m-{\tau }_L\right)dt}{\mathrm{\Delta \omega }}+\frac{\underset{\mathrm{ta3}}{\stackrel{\mathrm{ta4}}{\int }}\left({\tau }_m-{\tau }_L\right)dt}{-\mathrm{\Delta \omega }}\right\}& \left(3\right)\end{array}$

[0008] Here, since the acceleration and the deceleration are executed in the same velocity differences during the same time-periods, the integrated values of the load torque τL during the acceleration and the deceleration time-periods become equal to each other: 4$\begin{array}{cc}\stackrel{\mathrm{ta2}}{\underset{\mathrm{ta1}}{\int }}{\tau }_{L}dt=\stackrel{\mathrm{ta4}}{\underset{\mathrm{ta3}}{\int }}{\tau }_{L}dt& \left(4\right)\end{array}$

[0009] Accordingly, from the equations (3) and (4), J is determined from τm alone as is expressed by the equation (5): 5$\begin{array}{cc}J=\frac{\stackrel{\mathrm{t2}}{\underset{\mathrm{t1}}{\int }}{\tau }_{m}dt-\stackrel{\mathrm{t4}}{\underset{\mathrm{t3}}{\int }}{\tau }_{m}dt}{2\mathrm{\Delta \omega }}& \left(5\right)\end{array}$

[0010] Using a detected torque current IqFB, the value of τm can be calculated as is expressed by, e.g., the equation (6): 6$\begin{array}{cc}{\tau }_m=3\left(\frac{P}{2}\right)\frac{M}{L_2}·{\mathrm{MI}}_d^{*}·I_{\mathrm{qFB}}\equiv {\Delta }_0·I_{\mathrm{qFB}}& \left(6\right)\end{array}$

[0011] where, P, M, L2, and Id* denotes the following, respectively: The motor pole number, the motor mutual inductance, summation of the motor mutual inductance and the motor secondary-side leakage inductance, and the magnetic field excitation current instruction. Based on the above-described explanation, J is calculated from the equations (5) and (6).

[0012] In this method, the cancellation of the load torques τL makes it possible to calculate the inertia J independently of the form of the load torque.

[0013] In the method disclosed in JP-A-61-88780, however, as will be pointed out below, the motor is in a danger of being transitioned into a regenerative state at the deceleration time-period. This regenerative state overcharges, e.g., a smoothing capacitor within an inverter, thereby damaging the capacitor.

[0014] In FIG. 4, the motor torque τm becomes the lowest at the deceleration-terminating time (t=ta4). At this time, the torque current Iq also becomes its minimum. Assuming that the load torque τL is proportional to the square of the angular velocity ω (i.e., square load), Iq is determined from the equations (1) and (6) as is expressed by the equation (7): Incidentally, the reference notations therein denote the following, respectively: ω the motor velocity, ω0 the rated motor velocity, dω/dt the velocity-changing rates (the acceleration and the deceleration rates), P, the motor pole number, M, the motor mutual inductance, L2 the summation of the motor secondary-side leakage inductance and M, Id* the magnetic field excitation current instruction, J the mechanical inertia, and, Iq0 the rated motor torque current. 7$\begin{array}{cc}\begin{array}{c}{I}_q={\left(\frac{\omega }{{\omega }_0}\right)}^2·I_{\mathrm{q0}}+\frac{1}{3\left(\frac{P}{2}\right)\frac{M}{L_2}·{\mathrm{MI}}_d^{*}}\frac{d\omega }{dt}J\\ ={\left(\frac{\omega }{{\omega }_0}\right)}^2·I_{\mathrm{q0}}+\frac{1}{{\Delta }_0}\frac{d\omega }{dt}J\left({\Delta }_0=3\left(\frac{P}{2}\right)\frac{M}{L_2}·{\mathrm{MI}}_d^{*}\right)\end{array}& \left(7\right)\end{array}$

[0015] As a result, there exist some cases where the minimum value of Iq (i.e., the equation (7)) becomes negative and thus the motor is transitioned into the regenerative state, because the deceleration rate dω/dt is negative at the deceleration time-period. As seen from the equation (7), the condition under which the minimum value of Iq becomes negative and the motor is transitioned into the regenerative state is the case where the deceleration is executed in a region of small ω (the load torque) and dω/dt , i.e., the deceleration rate at that time, is large. consequently, in order to prevent the regenerative state from occurring at the deceleration time-period, it becomes absolutely required to reduce the deceleration rate (=the acceleration rate). In that occasion, however, the acceleration or the deceleration torque does not become larger enough as compared with the motor torque and the load torque components that become an error. This gives rise to an expectation that the inertia-identifying accuracy will become worse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] It is an object of the present invention to provide an inertia calculating method and an electric motor driver that are preferable for calculating the inertia and for driving an electric motor without causing the regeneration to occur and based on a configuration that is simpler as compared with the configuration in the prior art.

[0017] In order to accomplish the above-described object, in a driver including a non-regenerative type power converter and executing the velocity control of the electric motor with the use of a mechanical inertia constant, the non-regenerative type power converter being a converting apparatus for converting an alternating current from an alternating power supply into an alternating current of a variable voltage and a variable frequency, the non-regenerative type power converter including a forward converter for converting the alternating current from the alternating power supply into a direct current, a smoothing capacitor connected to a direct current circuit, and a backward converter for converting the direct current into the alternating current, when calculating the mechanical inertia, the mechanical inertia is calculated during only the motor acceleration time-period so that a voltage of the smoothing capacitor included in the non-regenerative type power converter will not exceed a predetermined value.

[0018] Also, when calculating the mechanical inertia, the accelerations are executed at a plurality of times at the mutually different velocity-changing rates, and the mechanical inertia is calculated from the integrated quantities of the respective torque proportion signals and the velocity-changing widths.

[0019] Also, in a driver including a power converter and executing the velocity control of the electric motor with the use of a mechanical inertia constant, the power converter including a forward converter for converting an alternating current from an alternating power supply into a direct current, a smoothing capacitor connected to a direct current circuit, and a backward converter for converting the direct current into an alternating current, the power converter converting the alternating current from the alternating power supply into the alternating current of a variable voltage and a variable frequency, when calculating the mechanical inertia from the integrated quantities of the torque proportion signals and the velocity-changing widths at the time of changing the rotation velocity of the electric motor, the accelerations are executed at a plurality of times at the mutually different velocity-changing rates, and the mechanical inertia is calculated from the integrated quantities of the respective torque proportion signals and the velocity-changing widths.

[0020] According to the present invention, in comparison with the prior art method, the mechanical inertia is calculated during only the motor acceleration time-period. This condition allows the identification of the inertia J to be executed without causing the regeneration to occur.

[0021] Also, according to the present invention, the accelerations are executed at the plurality of times at the mutually different velocity-changing rates, thereby calculating the mechanical inertia J. This condition makes unnecessary the data at the deceleration time-period, which has been required in the prior art method. As a result, it becomes possible to apply the present invention to a regeneration operation-incapable inverter as well. Also, in particular, it becomes possible to simplify the configuration of an electric motor driver including the regeneration operation-incapable inverter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is a flow chart for illustrating an inertia calculating method according to a 1st embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagram for illustrating the motor torque, the load torque, and the acceleration torque in the case of performing the calculation of the inertia J in the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 3 is a block diagram for illustrating an electric motor driver according to a 2nd embodiment of the present invention; and

[0025] FIG. 4 is the diagram for illustrating the motor torque, the load torque, and the acceleration torque in the case of performing the calculation of the inertia J in the prior art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Hereinafter, using the drawings, the explanation will be given below concerning the embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 1 is the flow chart for illustrating the inertia calculating method according to the 1st embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates the motor torque τm, the load torque τL, and the acceleration torque τac in the case of performing the calculation of the inertia J in the present embodiment.

[0028] In the present embodiment, the accelerations in the same velocity differences Δω are executed at 2 times at 2 types of different acceleration rates thereof, then identifying J from the integrated quantities of the respective motor torques τm.

[0029] The method will be described in detail below: At first, the motor is rotated at a predetermined angular velocity ω1. After that, during Δt12 (=T0/n1, where T0, n1 are arbitrary) seconds ranging from a time t1 to t2 (from the velocity ω1 to ω2), the 1st acceleration is executed at an acceleration rate (ω2−ω1)/Δt12. During this acceleration, the motor torque τm is calculated from the equation (6) so as to execute the time integration. After the lapse of Δt12, the integrated result is stored. Next, the motor angular velocity is set to be ω3. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that ω3=ω1 (i.e., the velocity is brought back to the velocity at the time of the 1st acceleration). After that, during Δt34 (=T0/n2, where T0, n2 are arbitrary) seconds ranging from a time t3 to t4 (from the velocity ω3 to ω4), the 2nd acceleration is executed at an acceleration rate (ω4−ω3)/Δt34. At the 2nd acceleration, although the integration-starting velocity and the integration-terminating velocity are equal to those at the 1st acceleration, respectively, the acceleration rate is modified (i.e., ω3=ω1, ω4=ω2, Δt12≠Δt34). During the acceleration, the motor torque τm is calculated from the equation (6) so as to execute the time integration, then, after the lapse of Δt34, storing the integrated result. Finally, the inertia J is calculated using the 1st and the 2nd integrated results.

[0030] The method will be explained in more detail below: The motor torque τm can be represented from the equation (1) as is expressed by the equation (8): 8$\begin{array}{cc}{\tau }_m={\tau }_L+J·\frac{d\omega }{dt}={\tau }_L+J·\frac{\mathrm{\Delta \omega }}{T_0/n}& \left(8\right)\end{array}$

[0031] At this time, letting t1=0, the both sides are integrated. 9$\begin{array}{cc}{\int }_0^{\frac{T_0}{n}}{\tau }_{m}dt={\int }_0^{\frac{T_0}{n}}{\tau }_{L}dt+{\int }_0^{\frac{T_0}{n}}{\tau }_{ac}dt& \left(9\right)\end{array}$

[0032] Here, considering that the 1st and the 2nd accelerations are executed in the same velocity differences (i.e., ω1→ω2) and assuming that τL can be represented by a ω's function f(ω) alone, as will be proved below, the term for τL in the equation (9) becomes a constant that depends on n (the acceleration rates) alone. Incidentally, Iq* denotes a torque current instruction, and f(ω)=0˜1 (1; the rated velocity time). 10$\begin{array}{cc}{\tau }_L=3\left(\frac{P}{2}\right)\frac{M}{L_2}·{\mathrm{MI}}_d^{*}·I_q^{*}·f\left(\omega \right)=B_0·f\left(\omega \right)& \left(10\right)\end{array}$11$\begin{array}{cc}\begin{array}{c}{\int }_0^{\frac{T_0}{n}}{\tau }_L=B_0\times {\int }_0^{\frac{T_0}{n}}f\left(\omega \right)dt\\ =B_0\times \frac{1}{d\omega /dt}{\int }_{{\omega }_1}^{{\omega }_2}f\left(\omega \right)d\omega \\ =\frac{1}{n}\frac{T_0}{\mathrm{\Delta \omega }}{B}_0\times {\int }_{{\omega }_1}^{{\omega }_2}f\left(\omega \right)d\omega =\frac{1}{n}{C}_0\end{array}& \left(11\right)\end{array}$

[0033] Also, if the velocity-changing amounts (i.e., Δω) are constant, the term for τac in the equation (9) can also be represented by a constant×J. 12$\begin{array}{cc}\begin{array}{c}{\int }_0^{\frac{T_0}{n}}{\tau }_{ac}dt={\int }_0^{\frac{T_0}{n}}n\frac{J}{T_0}\Delta \omega dt\\ =n\frac{J}{T_0}\mathrm{\Delta \omega }·\frac{T_0}{n}=\Delta \omega ·J\end{array}& \left(12\right)\end{array}$

[0034] Consequently, when, for the 2 types of acceleration rates (i.e., n=n1, n2), the corresponding velocities before and after the accelerations (i.e., ω1, ω2) are equal to each other, the following equations (13) are derived from the equations (9), (11), and (12): 13$\begin{array}{cc}{\int }_0^{\frac{T_0}{n_1}}{\tau }_{\mathrm{mn1}}dt=\Delta \omega ·J+\frac{1}{n_1}·C_0{\int }_0^{\frac{T_0}{n_2}}{\tau }_{\mathrm{mn2}}dt=\Delta \omega ·J+\frac{1}{n_2}·C_0& \left(13\right)\end{array}$

[0035] Solving the equations (13) with respect to C0, C0 is found as follows: 14$\begin{array}{cc}{C}_0=\frac{{\int }_0^{\frac{T_0}{n_1}}{\tau }_{\mathrm{mn1}}dt-{\int }_0^{\frac{T_0}{n_2}}{\tau }_{\mathrm{mn2}}dt}{\left(\frac{1}{n_1}-\frac{1}{n_2}\right)}& \left(14\right)\end{array}$

[0036] Determining J from the equations (13) and (14), J is determined as follows: 15$\begin{array}{cc}\begin{array}{c}J=\frac{{\int }_0^{\frac{T_0}{n_1}}{\tau }_{\mathrm{mn1}}dt-\frac{1}{n_1}·C_0}{\Delta \omega }\\ =\frac{{\int }_0^{\frac{T_0}{n_1}}{\tau }_{\mathrm{mn1}}dt-\frac{1}{n_1}·n_1·n_2\frac{{\int }_0^{\frac{T_0}{n_1}}{\tau }_{\mathrm{mn1}}dt-{\int }_0^{\frac{T_0}{n_2}}{\tau }_{\mathrm{mn2}}dt}{n_2-n_1}}{\Delta \omega }\\ =\frac{n_2{\int }_0^{\frac{T_0}{n_2}}{\tau }_{\mathrm{mn2}}dt-n_1{\int }_0^{\frac{T_0}{n_1}}{\tau }_{\mathrm{mn1}}dt}{\Delta \omega \left(n_2-n_1\right)}\end{array}& \left(15\right)\end{array}$

[0037] Based on the above-described explanation, J is calculated from the equations (6) and (15).

[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates the block diagram of the electric motor driver according to the 2nd embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, a 3-phase alternating voltage from a power supply 1 is converted into a direct current by a converter 2, and a smoothing capacitor 3 for smoothing the direct current is provided, and the smoothed direct current is converted by an inverter 4 into a 3-phase alternating voltage of an arbitrary frequency, then being inputted into an inductive electric motor 6. Here, the converter 2, the smoothing capacitor 3, and the inverter 4 constitute the non-regenerative type power converter. A voltage instruction value calculating unit 10, using the current detected by a current detecting unit 5, calculates 2-phase voltage instructions Vd*, Vq* in accordance with, e.g., a velocity sensorless vector controlling method. After that, using a phase θ that a phase calculating unit 9 obtains by integrating a frequency instruction valueω1*, a 3-phase alternating voltage instruction value is calculated by a 2-phase/3-phase converting unit 11 so as to be inputted into the inverter unit 4.

[0039] Also, a detected current coordinate converting unit 7, using the phase θ, converts the current detected by the current detecting unit 5 into a detected magnetic field excitation current IdFB and the detected torque current IqFB.

[0040] Next, the explanation will be given below concerning a J identifying unit 20. While a velocity instruction value ωr* is being increased so as to accelerate the motor, the motor torque τm, after being calculated in accordance with the equation (6) by a torque calculating unit 21, is integrated by a torque integrating unit 22. These calculations are executed during the 2-time accelerations, respectively. After the 2-time accelerations have been performed, a J calculating unit 24 calculates the inertia J in accordance with the equation (15) and using the velocity-changing widths Δω calculated by a Δω calculating unit 23.

[0041] It is set that these calculations are executed, e.g., off-line. After J has been calculated once, the value is fixed. During the subsequent operations, using this J value, a slip velocity calculating unit 8 calculates a slip correction value ωs. Finally, the velocity control of the electric motor is executed, using the frequency instruction value ω1* obtained by adding the slip correction value ωs to the velocity instruction value ωr*.

[0042] Next, as a 3rd embodiment of the present invention, when designating, as Iq(limit), the upper limit value of the torque current that is permitted to pass through without causing a hindrance to the motor's operation, the acceleration rate dω/dt (refer to the equation (7)) is set to be as expressed by the equation (16):

[0043] When Iq passes through in accordance with the equation (7), the present embodiment results in an effect that Iq will never exceed Iq(limit) (i.e., Iq will never become an overcurrent). 16$\begin{array}{cc}\frac{d\omega }{dt}\le 3\left(\frac{P}{2}\right)\left(\frac{M}{L_2}\right)\frac{M·J_d^{*}}{J}\left(I_{q\left(\mathrm{limit}\right)}-{\left(\frac{\omega }{{\omega }_0}\right)}^2{I}_{\mathrm{q0}}\right)& \left(16\right)\end{array}$

[0044] Also, as a 4th embodiment of the present invention, the terminating velocity ωf at which the acceleration and the integration are terminated (refer to ω in the equation (7)) is set to be as expressed by the equation (17):

[0045] When Iq passes through in accordance with the equation (7), the present embodiment results in an effect that Iq will never exceed Iq(limit) (i.e., Iq will never become an overcurrent). 17$\begin{array}{cc}{\omega }_f\le \sqrt{\frac{I_{q\left(\mathrm{limit}\right)}-\frac{d\omega }{dt}J/\left\{3\left(\frac{P}{2}\right)\left(\frac{M}{L_2}\right)M·I_d^{*}\right\}}{I_{\mathrm{q0}}}}·{\omega }_0& \left(17\right)\end{array}$

[0046] Also, as a 5th embodiment of the present invention, the accelerations are executed at 2 or more times. Then, the J values are determined from the results at the 2 times each, finally taking the average thereof. This results in an effect of enhancing the J-identifying accuracy even further.

[0047] As having been explained so far, although, as the embodiments of the present invention, the explanation has been given concerning the cases where the present invention is applied to the non-regenerative type power converter, the present invention is applicable to the regenerative type power converter as well.

[0048] Also, the non-regenerative type power converter, which has an incoming voltage of 3 kV or more and a capacitance of 100 kVA or more, is a high-voltage multiple-inverter including a plurality of unit-cell inverters. Consequently, the present invention is particularly effective when applied to such a high-voltage multiple-inverter.

[0049] Following items are further disclosed in connection with the above explanation.

[0050] [1] An inertia calculating method in a driver including a non-regenerative type power converter and executing velocity control of an electric motor with the use of a mechanical inertia constant, said driver being a converting apparatus for converting an alternating current from an alternating power supply into an alternating current of a variable voltage and a variable frequency, said non-regenerative type power converter including a forward converter for converting said alternating current from said alternating power supply into a direct current, a smoothing capacitor connected to a direct current circuit, and a backward converter for converting said direct current into said alternating current,

[0051] said inertia calculating method, comprising the step of:

[0052] , when calculating said mechanical inertia,

[0053] calculating said mechanical inertia during only a motor acceleration time-period so that a voltage of said smoothing capacitor will not exceed a predetermined value.

[0054] [2] An inertia calculating method in a driver including a non-regenerative type power converter and executing velocity control of an electric motor with the use of a mechanical inertia constant, said driver being a converting apparatus for converting an alternating current from an alternating power supply into an alternating current of a variable voltage and a variable frequency, said non-regenerative type power converter including a forward converter for converting said alternating current from said alternating power supply into a direct current, a smoothing capacitor connected to a direct current circuit, and a backward converter for converting said direct current into said alternating current,

[0055] said inertia calculating method, comprising the steps of:

[0056] , when calculating said mechanical inertia,

[0057] executing accelerations at a plurality of times at mutually different velocity-changing rates, and

[0058] calculating said mechanical inertia from integrated quantities of respective torque proportion signals and velocity-changing widths.

[0059] [3] The inertia calculating method according to [2], wherein, when executing said accelerations, said velocity-changing rates are set so that said motor current will not become larger than a predetermined value.

[0060] [4] The inertia calculating method according to [2], wherein, when executing said accelerations, dω/dt are set to be smaller than

3×(P/2)×(M/L2)×(M×I*d/J)×(Iq(limit)−(ω/ω0)2×Iq0)

[0061]  , where each reference notation denotes the following: dω/dt said velocity-changing rates, P, motor pole number, M, motor mutual inductance, L2 summation of motor secondary-side leakage inductance and M, Id* magnetic field excitation current instruction, J said mechanical inertia, Iq(limit) predetermined torque current value, ω motor velocity, ω0 rated motor velocity, and, Iq, rated motor torque current.

[0062] [5] The inertia calculating method according to [2], wherein, when executing said accelerations, a motor velocity at the time when said integrations are terminated is set so that said motor current will not become larger than a predetermined value.

[0063] [6] The inertia calculating method according to [2], wherein, when executing said accelerations, ωf is set to be smaller than

ω0×{square root}[(Iq(limit)−dω/dt×J/(3×(P/2)×(M/L2)×M×Id*))/Iq0]

[0064] , where each reference notation denotes the following: dω/dt said velocity-changing rates, P, motor pole number, M, motor mutual inductance, L2 summation of motor secondary-side leakage inductance and M, Id* magnetic field excitation current instruction, J said mechanical inertia, Iq(limit) predetermined torque current value, ωf a motor velocity at the time when said integrations are terminated, ω0 rated motor velocity, and, Iq0 rated motor torque current.

[0065] [7] The inertia calculating method according to any one of [1] to [6], comprising the steps of:

[0066] , when executing said accelerations,

[0067] executing one acceleration, and thereafter,

[0068] bringing said velocity back to said velocity before said one acceleration, and thereafter,

[0069] modifying said velocity-changing rate so as to execute a next acceleration.

[0070] [8] The inertia calculating method according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein, when executing said accelerations, ω1 is equal to ω3 and ω2 is equal to ω4, where each reference notation denotes the following: ω1 a velocity at which said integration of said torque proportion signal is started at one acceleration, ω2 a velocity at which said integration is terminated, ω3 a velocity at which said integration of said torque proportion signal is started at a next acceleration, and, ω4 a velocity at which said integration is terminated.

[0071] [9] An electric motor driver, comprising:

[0072] a non-regenerative type power converter, and

[0073] velocity controlling means for utilizing a mechanical inertia constant so as to execute velocity control of an electric motor, said electric motor driver being a converting apparatus for converting an alternating current from an alternating power supply into an alternating current of a variable voltage and a variable frequency, said non-regenerative type power converter including a forward converter for converting said alternating current from said alternating power supply into a direct current, a smoothing capacitor connected to a direct current circuit, and a backward converter for converting said direct current into said alternating current,

[0074] wherein there is provided inertia-identifying means for calculating said mechanical inertia during only a motor acceleration time-period so that a voltage of said smoothing capacitor will not exceed a predetermined value.

[0075] [10] An electric motor driver, comprising:

[0076] a non-regenerative type power converter, and

[0077] velocity controlling means for utilizing a mechanical inertia constant so as to execute velocity control of an electric motor, said electric motor driver being a converting apparatus for converting an alternating current from an alternating power supply into an alternating current of a variable voltage and a variable frequency, said non-regenerative type power converter including a forward converter for converting said alternating current from said alternating power supply into a direct current, a smoothing capacitor connected to a direct current circuit, and a backward converter for converting said direct current into said alternating current, wherein there are provided accelerating means for executing accelerations at a plurality of times at mutually different velocity-changing rates, and inertia-identifying means for calculating said mechanical inertia from integrated quantities of respective torque proportion signals and velocity-changing widths.

[0078] [11] The electric motor driver according to [10], wherein, when executing said accelerations, there is provided means for setting said velocity-changing rates so that said motor current will not become larger than a predetermined value.

[0079] [12] The electric motor driver according to [10], wherein, when executing said accelerations, there is provided means for setting dω/dt to be smaller than

3×(P/2)×(M/L2)×(M×I*d/J)×(Iq(limit)−(ω/ω0)2×Iq0)

[0080]  , where each reference notation denotes the following: dω/dt said velocity-changing rates, P, motor pole number, M, motor mutual inductance, L2 summation of motor secondary-side leakage inductance and M, Id* magnetic field excitation current instruction, J said mechanical inertia, Iq(limit) predetermined torque current value, ω motor velocity, ω0 rated motor velocity, and, Iq0 rated motor torque current.

[0081] [13] The electric motor driver according to [10], wherein, when executing said accelerations, there is provided means for setting a motor velocity at the time when said integrations are terminated so that said motor current will not become larger than a predetermined value.

[0082] [14] The electric motor driver according to [10], wherein, when executing said accelerations, there is provided means for setting ωf to be smaller than

ω0×{square root}[(Iq(limit)−dω/dt×J/(3×(P/2)×(M/L2)×M×I*d))/Iq0]

[0083]  , where each reference notation denotes the following: dω/dt said velocity-changing rates, P, motor pole number, M, motor mutual inductance, L2 summation of motor secondary-side leakage inductance and M, Id* magnetic field excitation current instruction, J said mechanical inertia, Iq(limit) predetermined torque current value, ωf a motor velocity at the time when said integrations are terminated, ω0 rated motor velocity, and, Iq, rated motor torque current.

[0084] [15] The electric motor driver according to any one of [10] to [14], wherein, when executing said accelerations, after one acceleration is executed, said velocity is brought back to said velocity before said one acceleration, and thereafter, said velocity-changing rate is modified so as to execute a next acceleration.

[0085] [16] The electric motor driver according to any one of [10] to [14], wherein, when executing said accelerations, ω1 is equal to ω3 and ω2 is equal to ω4, where each reference notation denotes the following: ω1 a velocity at which said integration of said torque proportion signal is started at one acceleration, ω2 a velocity at which said integration is terminated, ω3 a velocity at which said integration of said torque proportion signal is started at a next acceleration, and, ω4 a velocity at which said integration is terminated.

[0086] [17] An inertia calculating method in a driver including a power converter and executing velocity control of an electric motor with the use of a mechanical inertia constant, said power converter including a forward converter for converting an alternating current from an alternating power supply into a direct current, a smoothing capacitor connected to a direct current circuit, and a backward converter for converting said direct current into an alternating current, said power converter converting said alternating current from said alternating power supply into said alternating current of a variable voltage and a variable frequency,

[0087] said inertia calculating method, comprising the steps of:

[0088] , when calculating said mechanical inertia from integrated quantities of torque proportion signals and velocity-changing widths at the time of changing a rotation velocity of said electric motor,

[0089] executing said accelerations at a plurality of times at mutually different velocity-changing rates, and

[0090] calculating said mechanical inertia from said integrated quantities of said respective torque proportion signals and said velocity-changing widths.

[0091] [18] The inertia calculating method according to [17], wherein, when executing said accelerations, said velocity-changing rates are set so that said motor current will not become larger than a predetermined value.

[0092] [19] The inertia calculating method according to [17], wherein, when executing said accelerations, dω/dt are set to be smaller than

3×(P/2)×(M/L2)×(M×I*d/J)×(Iq(limit)−(ω/ω0)2×Iq0)

[0093]  , where each reference notation denotes the following: dω/dt said velocity-changing rates, P, motor pole number, M, motor mutual inductance, L2 summation of motor secondary-side leakage inductance and M, Id* magnetic field excitation current instruction, J said mechanical inertia, Iq(limit) predetermined torque current value, ω motor velocity, ω0 rated motor velocity, and, Iq0 rated motor torque current.

[0094] [20] The inertia calculating method according to [17], wherein, when executing said accelerations, a motor velocity at the time when said integrations are terminated is set so that said motor current will not become larger than a predetermined value.

[0095] [21] The inertia calculating method according to [17], wherein, when executing said accelerations, ωf is set to be smaller than

ω0×{square root}[(Iq(limit)−dω/dt×J/(3×(P/2)×(M/L2)×M×I*d))/Iq0]

[0096]  , where each reference notation denotes the following: dω/dt said velocity-changing rates, P, motor pole number, M, motor mutual inductance, L2 summation of motor secondary-side leakage inductance and M, Id* magnetic field excitation current instruction, J said mechanical inertia, Iq(limit) predetermined torque current value, ωf a motor velocity at the time when said integrations are terminated, ω0 rated motor velocity, and, Iq0 rated motor torque current.

[0097] [22] The inertia calculating method according to any one of [17] to [21], comprising the steps of:

[0098] , when executing said accelerations,

[0099] executing one acceleration, and thereafter, bringing said velocity back to said velocity before said one acceleration, and thereafter,

[0100] modifying said velocity-changing rate so as to execute a next acceleration.

[0101] [23] The inertia calculating method according to any one of [17] to [21], wherein, when executing said accelerations, ω1 is equal to ω3 and ω2 is equal to ω4, where each reference notation denotes the following: ω1 a velocity at which said integration of said torque proportion signal is started at one acceleration, ω2 a velocity at which said integration is terminated, ω3 a velocity at which said integration of said torque proportion signal is started at a next acceleration, and, ω4 a velocity at which said integration is terminated.

[0102] [24] An electric motor driver, comprising:

[0103] a power converter, and

[0104] velocity controlling means for utilizing a mechanical inertia constant so as to execute velocity control of an electric motor, said power converter including a forward converter for converting an alternating current from an alternating power supply into a direct current, a smoothing capacitor connected to a direct current circuit, and a backward converter for converting said direct current into an alternating current, said power converter converting said alternating current from said alternating power supply into said alternating current of a variable voltage and a variable frequency,

[0105] wherein, when calculating said mechanical inertia from integrated quantities of torque proportion signals and velocity-changing widths at the time of changing a rotation velocity of said electric motor, there are provided accelerating means for executing said accelerations at a plurality of times at mutually different velocity-changing rates, and inertia-calculating means for calculating said mechanical inertia from said integrated quantities of said respective torque proportion signals and said velocity-changing widths.

[0106] [25] The electric motor driver according to [24], wherein, when executing said accelerations, there is provided means for setting said velocity-changing rates so that said motor current will not become larger than a predetermined value.

[0107] [26] The electric motor driver according to [24], wherein, when executing said accelerations, there is provided means for setting dω/dt to be smaller than

3×(P/2)×(M/L2)×(M×I*d/J)×(Iq(limit)−(ω/ω0)2×Iq0)

[0108]  , where each reference notation denotes the following: dω/dt said velocity-changing rates, P, motor pole number, M, motor mutual inductance, L2 summation of motor secondary-side leakage inductance and M, Id* magnetic field excitation current instruction, J said mechanical inertia, Iq(limit) predetermined torque current value, ω motor velocity, ω0 rated motor velocity, and, Iq0 rated motor torque current.

[0109] [27] The electric motor driver according to [24], wherein, when executing said accelerations, there is provided means for setting a motor velocity at the time when said integrations are terminated so that said motor current will not become larger than a predetermined value.

[0110] [28] The electric motor driver according to [24], wherein, when executing said accelerations, there is provided means for setting ωf to be smaller than

ω0×{square root}[(Iq(limit)−dω/dt×J/(3×(P/2)×(M/L2)×M×I*d))/Iq0]

[0111]  , where each reference notation denotes the following: dω/dt said velocity-changing rates, P, motor pole number, M, motor mutual inductance, L2 summation of motor secondary-side leakage inductance and M, Id* magnetic field excitation current instruction, J said mechanical inertia, Iq(limit) predetermined torque current value, ωf a motor velocity at the time when said integrations are terminated, ω0 rated motor velocity, and, Iq0 rated motor torque current.

[0112] [29] The electric motor driver according to any one of [24] to [28], wherein, when executing said accelerations, after one acceleration is executed, said velocity is brought back to said velocity before said one acceleration, and thereafter, said velocity-changing rate is modified so as to execute a next acceleration.

[0113] [30] The electric motor driver according to any one of [24] to [28], wherein, when executing said accelerations, ω1 is equal to ω3 and ω2 is equal to ω4, where each reference notation denotes the following: ω1 a velocity at which said integration of said torque proportion signal is started at one acceleration, ω2 a velocity at which said integration is terminated, ω3 a velocity at which said integration of said torque proportion signal is started at a next acceleration, and, ω4 a velocity at which said integration is terminated.

[0114] [31] The inertia calculating method according to any one of [1] to [8], or [17] to [23], wherein said non-regenerative type power converter or said power converter used for feeding said electric motor has an incoming voltage of 3 kV or more and a capacitance of 100 kVA or more, said non-regenerative type power converter or said power converter being also a high-voltage multiple-inverter including a plurality of unit-cell inverters.

[0115] [32] The electric motor driver according to any one of [9] to [16], or [24] to [30], wherein said non-regenerative type power converter or said power converter used for feeding said electric motor has an incoming voltage of 3 kV or more and a capacitance of 100 kVA or more, said non-regenerative type power converter or said power converter being also a high-voltage multiple-inverter including a plurality of unit-cell inverters.

Claims

1. An inertia calculating method in a driver including a non-regenerative type power converter and executing velocity control of an electric motor with the use of a mechanical inertia constant, said driver being a converting apparatus for converting an alternating current from an alternating power supply into an alternating current of a variable voltage and a variable frequency, said non-regenerative type power converter including a forward converter for converting said alternating current from said alternating power supply into a direct current, a smoothing capacitor connected to a direct current circuit, and a backward converter for converting said direct current into said alternating current, said inertia calculating method, comprising the step of: , when calculating said mechanical inertia, calculating said mechanical inertia during only a motor acceleration time-period so that a voltage of said smoothing capacitor will not exceed a predetermined value.

2. An inertia calculating method in a driver including a non-regenerative type power converter and executing velocity control of an electric motor with the use of a mechanical inertia constant, said driver being a converting apparatus for converting an alternating current from an alternating power supply into an alternating current of a variable voltage and a variable frequency, said non-regenerative type power converter including a forward converter for converting said alternating current from said alternating power supply into a direct current, a smoothing capacitor connected to a direct current circuit, and a backward converter for converting said direct current into said alternating current, said inertia calculating method, comprising the steps of: , when calculating said mechanical inertia, executing accelerations at a plurality of times at mutually different velocity-changing rates, and calculating said mechanical inertia from integrated quantities of respective torque proportion signals and velocity-changing widths.

3. The inertia calculating method as claimed in claim 2, wherein, when executing said accelerations, said velocity-changing rates are set so that said motor current will not become larger than a predetermined value.

4. The inertia calculating method as claimed in claim 2, wherein, when executing said accelerations, dω/dt are set to be smaller than

5. The inertia calculating method as claimed in claim 2, wherein, when executing said accelerations, a motor velocity at the time when said integrations are terminated is set so that said motor current will not become larger than a predetermined value.

6. The inertia calculating method as claimed in claim 2, wherein, when executing said accelerations, ωf is set to be smaller than

7. The inertia calculating method as claimed in claim 1, comprising the steps of: , when executing said accelerations, executing one acceleration, and thereafter, bringing said velocity back to said velocity before said one acceleration, and thereafter, modifying said velocity-changing rate so as to execute a next acceleration.

8. The inertia calculating method as claimed in claim 2, comprising the steps of: , when executing said accelerations, executing one acceleration, and thereafter, bringing said velocity back to said velocity before said one acceleration, and thereafter, modifying said velocity-changing rate so as to execute a next acceleration.

9. The inertia calculating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when executing said accelerations, ω1 is equal to ω3 and ω2 is equal to ω4, where each reference notation denotes the following: ω1 a velocity at which said integration of said torque proportion signal is started at one acceleration, ω2 a velocity at which said integration is terminated, ω3 a velocity at which said integration of said torque proportion signal is started at a next acceleration, and, ω4 a velocity at which said integration is terminated.

10. The inertia calculating method as claimed in claim 2, wherein, when executing said accelerations, ω1 is equal to ω3 and ω2 is equal to ω4, where each reference notation denotes the following: ω1 a velocity at which said integration of said torque proportion signal is started at one acceleration, ω2 a velocity at which said integration is terminated, ω3 a velocity at which said integration of said torque proportion signal is started at a next acceleration, and, ω4 a velocity at which said integration is terminated.

11. An electric motor driver, comprising: a non-regenerative type power converter, and velocity controlling means for utilizing a mechanical inertia constant so as to execute velocity control of an electric motor, said electric motor driver being a converting apparatus for converting an alternating current from an alternating power supply into an alternating current of a variable voltage and a variable frequency, said non-regenerative type power converter including a forward converter for converting said alternating current from said alternating power supply into a direct current, a smoothing capacitor connected to a direct current circuit, and a backward converter for converting said direct current into said alternating current, wherein there is provided inertia-identifying means for calculating said mechanical inertia during only a motor acceleration time-period so that a voltage of said smoothing capacitor will not exceed a predetermined value.

12. An electric motor driver, comprising: a non-regenerative type power converter, and velocity controlling means for utilizing a mechanical inertia constant so as to execute velocity control of an electric motor, said electric motor driver being a converting apparatus for converting an alternating current from an alternating power supply into an alternating current of a variable voltage and a variable frequency, said non-regenerative type power converter including a forward converter for converting said alternating current from said alternating power supply into a direct current, a smoothing capacitor connected to a direct current circuit, and a backward converter for converting said direct current into said alternating current, wherein there are provided accelerating means for executing accelerations at a plurality of times at mutually different velocity-changing rates, and inertia-identifying means for calculating said mechanical inertia from integrated quantities of respective torque proportion signals and velocity-changing widths.

13. The electric motor driver as claimed in claim 12, wherein, when executing said accelerations, there is provided means for setting said velocity-changing rates so that said motor current will not become larger than a predetermined value.

14. The electric motor driver as claimed in claim 12, wherein, when executing said accelerations, there is provided means for setting dω/dt to be smaller than

15. The electric motor driver as claimed in claim 12, wherein, when executing said accelerations, there is provided means for setting a motor velocity at the time when said integrations are terminated so that said motor current will not become larger than a predetermined value.

16. The electric motor driver as claimed in claim 12, wherein, when executing said accelerations, there is provided means for setting ωf to be smaller than

17. The electric motor driver as claimed in claim 12, wherein, when executing said accelerations, after one acceleration is executed, said velocity is brought back to said velocity before said one acceleration, and thereafter, said velocity-changing rate is modified so as to execute a next acceleration.

18. The electric motor driver as claimed in claim 12, wherein, when executing said accelerations, ω1 is equal to ω3 and ω2 is equal to ω4, where each reference notation denotes the following: ω1 a velocity at which said integration of said torque proportion signal is started at one acceleration, ω2 a velocity at which said integration is terminated, ω3 a velocity at which said integration of said torque proportion signal is started at a next acceleration, and, ω4 a velocity at which said integration is terminated.

19. An inertia calculating method in a driver including a power converter and executing velocity control of an electric motor with the use of a mechanical inertia constant, said power converter including a forward converter for converting an alternating current from an alternating power supply into a direct current, a smoothing capacitor connected to a direct current circuit, and a backward converter for converting said direct current into an alternating current, said power converter converting said alternating current from said alternating power supply into said alternating current of a variable voltage and a variable frequency, said inertia calculating method, comprising the steps of: , when calculating said mechanical inertia from integrated quantities of torque proportion signals and velocity-changing widths at the time of changing a rotation velocity of said electric motor, executing said accelerations at a plurality of times at mutually different velocity-changing rates, and calculating said mechanical inertia from said integrated quantities of said respective torque proportion signals and said velocity-changing widths.

20. The inertia calculating method as claimed in claim 19, wherein, when executing said accelerations, said velocity-changing rates are set so that said motor current will not become larger than a predetermined value.

21. The inertia calculating method as claimed in claim 19, wherein, when executing said accelerations, dω/dt are set to be smaller than

22. The inertia calculating method as claimed in claim 19, wherein, when executing said accelerations, a motor velocity at the time when said integrations are terminated is set so that said motor current will not become larger than a predetermined value.

23. The inertia calculating method as claimed in claim 19, wherein, when executing said accelerations, ωf is set to be smaller than

24. The inertia calculating method as claimed in claim 19, comprising the steps of: , when executing said accelerations, executing one acceleration, and thereafter, bringing said velocity back to said velocity before said one acceleration, and thereafter, modifying said velocity-changing rate so as to execute a next acceleration.

25. The inertia calculating method as claimed in claim 19, wherein, when executing said accelerations, ω1 is equal to ω3 and ω2 is equal to ω4, where each reference notation denotes the following: ω1 a velocity at which said integration of said torque proportion signal is started at one acceleration, ω2 a velocity at which said integration is terminated, ω3 a velocity at which said integration of said torque proportion signal is started at a next acceleration, and, ω4 a velocity at which said integration is terminated.

26. An electric motor driver, comprising: a power converter, and velocity controlling means for utilizing a mechanical inertia constant so as to execute velocity control of an electric motor, said power converter including a forward converter for converting an alternating current from an alternating power supply into a direct current, a smoothing capacitor connected to a direct current circuit, and a backward converter for converting said direct current into an alternating current, said power converter converting said alternating current from said alternating power supply into said alternating current of a variable voltage and a variable frequency, wherein, when calculating said mechanical inertia from integrated quantities of torque proportion signals and velocity-changing widths at the time of changing a rotation velocity of said electric motor, there are provided accelerating means for executing said accelerations at a plurality of times at mutually different velocity-changing rates, and inertia-calculating means for calculating said mechanical inertia from said integrated quantities of said respective torque proportion signals and said velocity-changing widths.

27. The electric motor driver as claimed in claim 26, wherein, when executing said accelerations, there is provided means for setting said velocity-changing rates so that said motor current will not become larger than a predetermined value.

28. The electric motor driver as claimed in claim 26, wherein, when executing said accelerations, there is provided means for setting dω/dt to be smaller than

29. The electric motor driver as claimed in claim 26, wherein, when executing said accelerations, there is provided means for setting a motor velocity at the time when said integrations are terminated so that said motor current will not become larger than a predetermined value.

30. The electric motor driver as claimed in claim 26, wherein, when executing said accelerations, there is provided means for setting ωf to be smaller than

31. The electric motor driver as claimed in claim 26, wherein, when executing said accelerations, after one acceleration is executed, said velocity is brought back to said velocity before said one acceleration, and thereafter, said velocity-changing rate is modified so as to execute a next acceleration.

32. The electric motor driver as claimed in claim 26, wherein, when executing said accelerations, ω1 is equal to ω3 and ω2 is equal to ω4, where each reference notation denotes the following: ω1 a velocity at which said integration of said torque proportion signal is started at one acceleration, ω2 a velocity at which said integration is terminated, ω3 a velocity at which said integration of said torque proportion signal is started at a next acceleration, and, ω4 a velocity at which said integration is terminated.

33. The inertia calculating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said non-regenerative type power converter or said power converter used for feeding said electric motor has an incoming voltage of 3 kV or more and a capacitance of 100 kVA or more, said non-regenerative type power converter or said power converter being also a high-voltage multiple-inverter including a plurality of unit-cell inverters.

34. The inertia calculating method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said non-regenerative type power converter or said power converter used for feeding said electric motor has an incoming voltage of 3 kV or more and a capacitance of 100 kVA or more, said non-regenerative type power converter or said power converter being also a high-voltage multiple-inverter including a plurality of unit-cell inverters.

35. The inertia calculating method as claimed in claim 19, wherein said non-regenerative type power converter or said power converter used for feeding said electric motor has an incoming voltage of 3 kV or more and a capacitance of 100 kVA or more, said non-regenerative type power converter or said power converter being also a high-voltage multiple-inverter including a plurality of unit-cell inverters.

36. The electric motor driver as claimed in claim 9, wherein said non-regenerative type power converter or said power converter used for feeding said electric motor has an incoming voltage of 3 kV or more and a capacitance of 100 kVA or more, said non-regenerative type power converter or said power converter being also a high-voltage multiple-inverter including a plurality of unit-cell inverters.

37. The electric motor driver as claimed in claim 12, wherein said non-regenerative type power converter or said power converter used for feeding said electric motor has an incoming voltage of 3 kV or more and a capacitance of 100 kVA or more, said non-regenerative type power converter or said power converter being also a high-voltage multiple-inverter including a plurality of unit-cell inverters.

38. The electric motor driver as claimed in claim 26, wherein said non-regenerative type power converter or said power converter used for feeding said electric motor has an incoming voltage of 3 kV or more and a capacitance of 100 kVA or more, said non-regenerative type power converter or said power converter being also a high-voltage multiple-inverter including a plurality of unit-cell inverters.