Speed- and current-sensorless field-oriented induction motor drive operating at low stator frequencies

This paper aims to demonstrate that, exploiting the sensorless zero-sequence (SZS) air-gap flux estimation technique, it is possible to realize field-oriented induction motor drives without speed and current sensors, able to operate down to zero speed. According to the SZS technique a zero-sequence stator voltage component is generated as a result of the injection of a suitable high-frequency signal on the stator voltage. By manipulation of such a zero-voltage component, that is unaffected by speed and load changes, it is possible to detect both the amplitude and the angular position of the air-gap flux. In the present paper, it is shown that such a technique allows for the estimation of the motor speed and the phase currents, enabling implementation of a field-oriented control as well as speed and current closed control loops using a simple hardware which, with minor modifications, resembles that of an inexpensive constant Volt/Hertz drive. Experimental tests are shown in order to practically confirm the expected features of the proposed approach.