Vector control, also known as field-oriented control (FOC), is a control technique used to achieve precise control of induction motors by decoupling and controlling their stator current and rotor current independently. The aim is to emulate the behavior of a separately excited DC motor, allowing for more accurate control of speed and torque.
Rotor current control is a crucial aspect of vector control in induction motors. It involves controlling the magnitude and phase angle of the rotor current with respect to the stator current. By doing so, the control system can achieve accurate control of the motor's torque and speed.
Here's a breakdown of the concept:
Transformation to the Rotor Reference Frame:
In vector control, the currents and voltages are transformed from the stationary reference frame (also known as the ABC or three-phase reference frame) to the rotor reference frame (also known as the DQ or rotating reference frame). The transformation allows the decoupling of the direct (D) and quadrature (Q) components of the currents and voltages.
Rotor Flux Orientation:
In vector control, the goal is to control the rotor flux orientation (the magnetic field created by the rotor current) as if it were a separately excited DC motor. This means aligning the rotor flux with the D-axis of the rotor reference frame. By doing this, the torque produced by the motor is directly proportional to the quadrature component of the stator current.
Decoupled Control:
Once the currents and voltages are transformed to the rotor reference frame, the control system can independently control the direct and quadrature components of the currents. The direct current component (Id) is used to control the magnetizing current and thus the rotor flux. The quadrature current component (Iq) is used to control the torque produced by the motor.
Torque and Speed Control:
By manipulating the amplitude and phase angle of the Iq component, the control system can achieve accurate torque control. Adjusting the frequency of the stator current (which corresponds to the motor's speed) along with the rotor flux allows for precise control of the motor's speed.
Closed-Loop Control:
Vector control involves a closed-loop control system where feedback from motor sensors (such as encoders or resolvers) is used to continuously adjust the current references and maintain accurate control.
In summary, rotor current control is a fundamental aspect of vector control in induction motors. It involves controlling the rotor current's magnitude and phase angle in the rotor reference frame to achieve accurate torque and speed control. This technique enables induction motors to operate with high performance and efficiency, similar to separately excited DC motors.