Current Control Methods for an Asymmetrical Six-Phase Induction Motor Drive

Using the vector space decomposition approach, the currents in a multiphase machine with distributed winding can be decoupled into the flux and torque producing α–β components, and the loss-producing x–y and zero-sequence components. While the control of α–β currents is crucial for flux and torque regulation, control of x–y currents is important for machine/converter asymmetry and dead-time effect compensation. In this paper, an attempt is made to provide a physically meaningful insight into current control of a six-phase machine, by showing that the fictitious x–y currents can be physically interpreted as the circulating currents between the two three-phase windings. Using this interpretation, the characteristics of x–y currents due to the machine/converter asymmetry can be analyzed. The use of different types of x–y current controllers for asymmetry compensation and suppression of dead-time-induced harmonics is then discussed. Experimental results are provided throughout the paper, to underpin the theoretical considerations, using tests on a prototype asymmetrical six-phase induction machine.