Browsing by Author "Pires, Armando J."
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- An 8/6 SRM drive with a multilevel topology based on a cross-switched configurationPublication . Fernao Pires, Vitor; Foito, Daniel; Pires, Armando J.; Cordeiro, Armando; Martins, J. F.SRM drives based on multilevel power electronic converter presents several advantages, like reducing the switching frequency and improve the operation of the motor under high speed. In this way, several multilevel power converter topologies have been developed for the SRM drives. In line with this, this paper proposes a new multilevel power converter topology for the 8/6 SRM drive. The topology was developed with the purpose to reduce the number of power semiconductors, without reducing the performance of the motor. The proposed topology was designed in a way that uses crossover switches. The operation of the power converter topology in all of their modes is analyzed in a detailed way. The verification of the global system performance (drive and motor) is realized by the implementation of simulation studies. Indeed, through these studies it is verified that at low speed operation the switching frequency is reduced, but maintaining the application of the maximum voltage during the magnetization and demagnetization process.
- Fault-tolerant multilevel converter to feed a switched reluctance machinePublication . Fernao Pires, Vitor; Cordeiro, Armando; Foito, Daniel; Pires, Armando J.The switched reluctance machine (SRM) is one of the most interesting machines, being adopted for many applications. However, this machine requires a power electronic converter that usually is the most fragile element of the system. Thus, in order to ensure high reliability for this system, it is fundamental to design a power electronic converter with fault-tolerant capability. In this context, a new solution is proposed to give this capability to the system. This converter was designed with the purpose to ensure fault-tolerant capability to two types of switch faults, namely open- and short-circuit. Moreover, apart from this feature, the proposed topology is characterized by a multilevel operation that allows improvement of the performance of the SRM, taking into consideration a wide speed range. Although the proposed solution is presented for an 8/6 SRM, it can be used for other configurations. The operation of the proposed topology will be described for the two modes, fault-tolerant and normal operation. Another aspect that is addressed in this paper is the proposal of fault detection and diagnosis method for this fault-tolerant inverter. It was specifically developed for a multilevel SRM drive. The theoretical assumptions will be verified through two different types of tests, firstly by simulation and secondly by experiments with a laboratory prototype.
- Fault-tolerant SRM dive with a diagnosis method based on the entropy feature approachPublication . Fernao Pires, Vitor; Amaral, Tito; Cordeiro, Armando; Foito, Daniel; Pires, Armando J.; Martins, JoaoThe power electronic converter design is essential for the operation of the switched reluctance motor (SRM). Thus, a fault-tolerant power converter is fundamental to ensure high reliability and extend the drive operation. To achieve fault tolerance, fault detection and diagnosis methods are critical in order to identify, as soon as possible, the failure mode of the drive. To provide such capability, it is proposed in this paper a new fault-tolerant power converter scheme combined with a fault detection method regarding the most common power semiconductors failures in SRM drives. The fast and reliable proposed diagnosis method is based on the entropy theory. Based on this theory, normalized indexes (diagnostic variables) are created, which are independent from the load and speed of the motor. Through this method, it is possible to identify the faulty leg, as well as the type of power semiconductor fault. To test and evaluate the proposed solution several laboratory experiments were carried out using a 2 kW four-phase 8 / 6 SRM.
- PV generator-fed water pumping system based on a SRM with a multilevel fault-tolerant converterPublication . Fernao Pires, Vitor; Foito, Daniel; Cordeiro, Armando; Chaves, Miguel; Pires, Armando J.This paper presents a pumping system supplied by a PV generator that is based on a switched reluctance machine (SRM). Water pumping systems are fundamental in many applications. Most of them can be used only during the day; therefore, they are highly recommended for use with PV generators. For the interface between the PV panels and the motor, a new multilevel converter is proposed. This converter is designed in order to ensure fault-tolerant capability for open switch faults. The converter is based on two three-level inverters, with some extra switches. Moreover, to reduce the number of switches, the converter is designed to provide inverse currents in the motor windings. Due to the characteristics of this motor, the inverse currents do not change the torque direction. In this way, it was possible to obtain an SRM drive with fault-tolerant capability for transistor faults; it is also a low-cost solution, due to the reduced number of switches and drives. These characteristics of fault-tolerant capability and low cost are important in applications such as water pumping systems supplied by PV generators. The proposed system was verified by several tests that were carried out by a simulation program. The experimental results, obtained from a laboratory prototype, are also presented, with the purpose of validating the simulation tests.