Optimal Three-Dimensional Current Computation Flux Weakening Control Strategy for DC-Biased Vernier Reluctance Machines Considering Inductance Nonlinearity

An optimal three-dimensional current computation flux weakening control strategy for dc-biased Vernier reluctance machines (VRMs) is proposed in this paper. Compared with permanent magnet synchronous machines, dc-biased VRMs have an additional degree of freedom to regulate the rotor flux through variable dc-biased armature current. The conventional flux weakening control strategy does not utilize the adjustable dc field current, and the output capacity in the flux weakening region is limited. In this paper, the optimal three-dimensional current distribution is calculated at the intersection of current and voltage constraint. Meanwhile, in order to maintain the armature voltage within the voltage constraint, the inductance nonlinearity is reflected by constructing the inductance table. The algorithm provides maximum output capability and high efficiency for dc-biased VRMs despite the changes in inductance parameters in the whole flux weakening region. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy is validated by experimental results for a prototype machine.