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Multiphase machines allow enhancing the performance of wind energy conversion systems from the point of view of reliability and efficiency. The enhanced robustness has been traditionally achieved with a mandatory post-fault control reconfiguration. Nevertheless, when the regulation of x-y currents in multiphase drives is done in open-loop mode, the reconfiguration can be avoided. As a consequence, the reliability of the system increases because fault detection errors or delays have no impact on the post-fault performance. This capability has been recently defined as natural fault tolerance. From the point of view of the efficiency, multiphase machines present a better power density than three-phase machines and lower per-phase currents for the same voltage rating. Moreover, the implementation of control strategies based on a variable flux level can further reduce the system losses. Targeting higher reliability and efficiency for multiphase wind energy conversion systems, this work proposes the implementation of an efficient model predictive control using virtual voltage vectors for six-phase induction machines. The use of virtual voltage vectors allows regulation of the x-y currents in open-loop mode and achieving the desired natural fault tolerance. Then, a higher efficiency can be achieved with a simple and universal cost function, which is valid both in pre- and post-fault situations. Experimental results confirm the viability and goodness of the proposal.

Until very recently, the fault tolerance in multiphase electric drives could only be achieved after fault localization and a subsequent modification of the control scheme. This scenario was profoundly shaken with the appearance of the natural fault tolerance, as the control reconfiguration was not required anymore. Even though the control strategy was highly simplified, it was still necessary to detect the open-phase fault (OPF) in order to derate the electric drive and safeguard its integrity. This work goes one step beyond and suggests the use of an automatic fault-tolerant control (AFTC) that also avoids the detection of the OPF. The AFTC combines the natural fault-tolerant capability with a self-derating technique, finally obtaining a hardware-free software-free fault tolerance. This achievement changes completely the rules of the game in the design of fault-tolerant drives, easing at the same time their industrial application. Experimental results confirm in a six-phase induction motor (IM) drive that the proposed AFTC provides a simple and safe manner to add further reliability to multiphase electric drives.

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Finite Control-Set Model Predictive Control (FCS-MPC) appears as an interesting alternative to regulate multiphase electric drives, thanks to inherent advantages such as its capability to include new restrictions and fast-transient response. Nevertheless, in industrial applications, FCS-MPC is typically discarded to control multiphase motors because the absence of a modulation stage produces a high harmonic content. In this regard, multi-vectorial approaches are an innovative solution to improve the electric drive performance taking advantage of the implicit modulator flexibility of Model Predictive Control (MPC) strategies. This work proposes the definition of a new multi-vectorial set of control actions formed by a couple of adjacent large voltage vectors and a null voltage vector with an adaptative application ratio. The combination of two large voltage vectors provides minimum x-y current injection whereas the application of a null voltage vector reduces the active voltage production. Moreover, the optimum selection of the null voltage vector for each couple of large voltage vectors permits reducing the switching frequency. On the other hand, the active application time for this couple is estimated through an analytic function based on the operating point. This procedure avoids the use of an iterative process to define the duty cycles, hence significatively decreasing the computational burden.

Multiphase machines offer some interesting features to develop more-competitive electric drives. However, the control complexity increases due to the higher number of freedom degrees. Specifically, the regulation of secondary currents becomes critical to avoid an unacceptable harmonic distortion of phase currents. In this regard, standard finite-control-set model predictive control (FCS-MPC) is characterized by a limited capability to provide a suitable current quality, since a single switching state is applied per control cycle. In order to reduce the current harmonic content and retain the well-known FCS-MPC advantages, the use of a multi-vector approach has been recently explored in the field of multiphase electric drives. Following this trend, this work develops a simplified FCS-MPC version with a new generation of virtual voltage vectors (VV) that are used as control actions. The switching states that form the proposed VV provide null average x − y voltages and reduced instantaneous injection of these secondary components. The capability of the suggested VV-based FCS-MPC strategy to mitigate the x−y injection is experimentally tested and compared to field-oriented control (FOC) using carrier-based pulse width modulation (CB-PWM) and diverse FCS-MPC schemes.