Improving Mechanical Characteristics of Inverter-induction Motor Drive System

Abstract: An inverter-three-phase squirrel-cage induction motor drive system with improved mechanical characteristics is presented. The proposed system provides mechanical characteristics with constant maximum torque or increased maximum torque and reduced slip speed at frequencies below the nominal frequency. The control algorithm is based on the constant volts per hertz principle using two improvement techniques: keeping maximum torque constant or keeping magnetic flux constant. Performance analysis of the system under different operation conditions was provided. For this purpose, a standard state-space model of three-phase squirrel-cage induction motor, with respect to a synchronously rotating d-q reference frame was derived. The correctness and validity of the derived model of induction motor was verified. The inverter was considered as a static linear element and modeled through its input-output equation based on the modulation index. Three types of controllers were modeled, simulated and experimentally tested. The results show that both suggested control methods improve the system performance. The slip speed has been decreased and the starting torque and maximum torque have been increased. Controller with constant maximum torque can be used in drive systems working with constant load, while controller with constant flux can be used in drive systems working with constant power. Key words: Induction motor, constant volts per hertz, constant maximum torque, constant flux