Reduced Torque Ripple and Improved Efficiency of the Six-Phase Induction Motor Drive Based on the Model Predictive Torque Control Method

It is essential to implement a high-performance drive control system in a six-phase induction motor (6PIM) to benefit from the advantages of reduced torque ripple, reduced harmonic current, reduced current amplitude per phase, and improved reliability. In this regard, two control schemes based on the model predictive torque control (MPTC) method are proposed in this paper. In addition, a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) is used in the speed control loop. Furthermore, in the first control scheme, during each switching period, a combination of an active switching vector and a null switching vector is applied to the inverter; so that the duty cycle of the active switching vector is optimally calculated. In the second control scheme, a virtual voltage (VV) vector composed of a large switching vector and a relatively large switching vector with certain duty cycles is applied to the 6PIM so that related switching vectors’ effects in the x-y subspace which models the motor losses lead to zero. The proposed methods are evaluated by simulation using the MATLAB/Simulink software. The results prove the effectiveness of the presented methods. The advantages of the first method consist of fully exploiting the DC link voltage and reducing the torque ripple. In addition, the advantages of the second method include reducing the current ripple and improving efficiency.