Self-sensing control of a synchronous reluctance machine using an extended Kalman filter

In order to become independent from the world market prices of rare earths, this paper is an approach to the robust and high-performance speed control of a permanent magnet-free synchronous reluctance machine (SynRM) for the use in the pitch system of a modern wind turbine. Enhancing previous works, we combine near-torque-optimal and self-sensing control using an extended Kalman filter (EKF) with regard to the pitch application. In this paper, we present the development of the metrologically parameterized model of the SynRM and the basic control concept. After the simulative validation of both by a comparison with reference results, we develop and integrate the EKF as the observer of the non-linear SynRM. The evaluation of the resulting self-sensing control concept in a simulation model employing a performance test definition for pitch actuators confirms the potential usage of the SynRM as a pitch motor.