Research on Load Disturbance Based Variable Speed PID Control and a Novel Denoising Method Based Effect Evaluation of HST for Agricultural Machinery

This paper aims to realize and improve the constant speed control performance of tractors with HST (Hydrostatic Transmission) variable speed units. To achieve this, based on the HST test bench of the tractor, we perform a verification test of the adjustable speed characteristics, a denoising filter test of the response signal, a test on the influence of the load disturbance on the adjustable speed characteristics and a PID-based constant speed performance detection test. The results of the verification test of the adjustable speed characteristics show that the theoretical value and actual value of the adjustable speed transmission characteristics of the HST used are essentially consistent with each other. The results of the test of the load disturbance’s influence on the adjustable speed characteristics show that the increase in load torque inhibits the HST output response. Therefore, the paper proposes and designs a PID-based closed-loop constant speed control system. The paper uses a step response test and a load disturbance test to research the control result of the constant speed system. Collecting and analyzing all test results, we find that the constant speed control based on PID has a very good result. The average error between the average HST output speed and the target speed set was 0.37%, and the average standard deviation of output speed was 1.18 rpm. In addition, the paper proposes a denoising method combing the empirical mode decomposition method and the Gaussian distribution determination. The method shows that the first two orders of the components of the HST response signal should be removed as noise. The paper uses the denoised signal and the partial least squares method to analyze the influencing factors of the constant speed control result. The analysis results show that the rate of change of load torque has the biggest influence on the stability of HST output speed, followed by the target value.

A Novel Inductor for Stabilizing the DC Link of Adjustable Speed Drive

The DC-link filter which includes a magnetic inductor and a storage capacitor is one of the key parts of adjustable speed drives in the market. It significantly affects the stability, reliability, and power density of the motor-drive system. This paper proposes a novel, variable active inductor to improve the performance of DC links in terms of stability, reliability, size, and cost. In contrast to conventional DC-link magnetic inductors, the variable active inductor is made of power electronic circuits, including active switches, passive filters, and smart controllers, which no longer rely on magnetic material. The demonstration shows that the inductor can emulate the electrical characteristics of the magnetic inductor for filtering harmonics and stabilizing the DC link, meanwhile representing a smaller size, lighter weight, and lower cost compared with a conventional one. Furthermore, this paper proposes a variable inductance control method which is able to adaptively tune the inductance value with the operating conditions of the drive system. The DC link can be stabilized, and high performance can be maintained in both balanced and unbalanced grid voltage conditions. A case study of the proposed variable inductor in a motor drive with a three-phase diode-bridge rectifier as the front end is discussed. Experimental results are given to verify the functionality and effectiveness of the proposed variable inductor.

A New Era: Large Subsea Multiphase Compressor - Driven by Subsea Adjustable Speed Drive

The use of subsea processing equipment, which maintains, increases, and accelerates oil and gas production, is now more and more widespread in offshore subsea field developments. Furthermore, there is a strong drive for electrification of offshore fields, both subsea and topside, to lower emissions. To meet the technical challenges, a significant effort is put into research and technology development by academia and the industry. ABB, a specialist in electrical equipment and control systems, and OneSubsea, a specialist in subsea processing, have executed large development programs organized as Joint Industry Projects (JIPs) together with oil and gas operators. In this paper, we discuss how ABB and OneSubsea joined forces in testing and validating their respective subsea technologies as a full subsea system for subsea multiphase gas compression. This paper presents the world's first full-scale, combined subsea adjustable speed drive (ASD) and multiphase compressor (WGC6000) string test. In spring of 2020, both the ASD, and the WGC6000 reached Technology Readiness Level 4. The string test, with both units concurrently submerged, completed its witness test program in June 2020, with mapping of the WGC6000 speed and power envelope and a subsequent 24 h thermal stability run. The flawless test result confirms the strategic development road map for all the involved partners. The technologies presented in this paper are now fully qualified and available for commercial use enabling a paradigm shift in subsea oil and gas production.