Rotor Position Extraction of Dual Induction Motors at High Loads using Intermodulation Saliency

Abstract:
Induction motors often show several spatial saliencies that can be extracted via pulse excitation and current response analysis in order to obtain a control signal (rotor flux angle or rotor position), eliminating thus the need for a shaft encoder. The most common saliencies used for rotor flux or position estimation are the magnetic saturation and rotor-slotting. However, both saliencies can face stability issues when motor is operated at very high loads. In this work, intermodulation saliency is employed for rotor position estimation for a dual traction motor drive operating at heavy loads. Highly precise rotor position estimation will be verified by experimental results.