An Inverter Nonlinearity-Independent Flux Observer for Direct Torque-Controlled High-Performance Interior Permanent Magnet Brushless AC Drives

Abstract

This paper introduces a novel flux observer for direct torque controlled interior permanent magnet brushless AC (IPM-BLAC) drives over a wide speed range including standstill. The observer takes machine nonlinearities into account and is independent of inverter nonlinearities, dead time, and armature resistance variation at steady states since such inaccuracies are compensated quickly by measured phase currents. Magnetic saturations in the stator and rotor cores, cross-coupling effects of flux linkages of the motor, and spatial harmonics in the magnetomotive force are all considered in the novel scheme. There is no filter; hence, no delays and oscillatory responses like in conventional schemes where filters are employed to prevent integrator drift issue. Superiority of the observer when compared to the state-of-the-art schemes has been illustrated by both extensive simulations and experimental results of a 10-kW IPM-BLAC machine designed for traction applications.