Torque Ripple Reduction of a Solar PV-Based Brushless DC Motor Using Sliding Mode Control and H7 Topology

Abstract

In this paper, the solar PV-based brushless DC motor (BLDC) torque ripple reduction is reduced using sliding mode control algorithm and H7-based inverter topology. In general, the outer speed control loop of a BLDC motor is controlled using a well-tuned PI controller. This controller will be effective in reducing the dynamic speed error, but will produce large current ripples. This reference current when given to the inner control loop and controlled using Hall effect position sensing technique leads to comparatively large ripples in the torque. Hence, to mitigate this torque ripples in solar PV-based BLDC motor, sliding mode controller is used, which is designed in such a way that, it will effectively control the speed and also produces lesser current ripples reference. Further, the inverter topology uses a seven switch H7 configuration instead of a conventional six switch inverter topology. The results are compared with a PI-based converter with a six switch under variable load torque and variable speed cases in MATLAB/SIMULINK environment. The BLDC motor is used as a drive for the electrical transportation vehicle, and performance is observed. It is found that, the torque ripples are reduced effectively without much change in the reference speed. Also, even at lower speeds, the torque ripples and surges are also lesser.