• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.430-438
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• 2023

The Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) has emerged as a key component in HVDC systems due to its ability to efficiently transmit large amounts of power over long distances. In such systems, accurate estimation of the MMC capacitor voltage is of utmost importance for ensuring optimal system performance, stability, and reliability. Traditional methods for voltage estimation may face limitations in accuracy and robustness, prompting the need for innovative approaches. In this paper, we propose a novel distributed neural network observer specifically designed for MMC capacitor voltage estimation. Our observer harnesses the power of a multi-layer neural network architecture, which enables the observer to learn and adapt to the complex dynamics of the MMC system. By utilizing a distributed approach, we deploy multiple observers, each with its own set of neural network layers, to collectively estimate the capacitor voltage. This distributed configuration enhances the accuracy and robustness of the voltage estimation process. A crucial aspect of our observer's performance lies in the meticulous initialization of random weights within the neural network. This initialization process ensures that the observer starts with a solid foundation for efficient learning and accurate voltage estimation. The observer iteratively updates its weights based on the observed voltage and current values, continuously improving its estimation accuracy over time. The validity of proposed algorithm is verified by the result of estimated voltage at each observer in capacitor of MMC.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.81-87
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• 2007

This paper proposes a new capacitance estimation scheme for a DC-link capacitor in a three-phase AC/DC/AC PWM converter. A controlled AC voltage with a lower frequency than the line frequency is injected into the DC-link voltage, which then causes AC power ripples at the DC side. By extracting the AC voltage and power components on the DC output side using digital filters, the capacitance can then be calculated using the Support Vector Regression (SVR). By training of SVR, a function which relates a given input (capacitor's power) and its corresponding output (capacitance value) can be derived. This function is used to predict outputs for given inputs that are not included in the training set. The proposed method does not require the information of DC-link current and can be simply implemented with only software and no additional hardware. Experimental results confirm that the estimation error is less than 0.16%.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.653-661
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• 2016

This paper proposes a capacitance estimation method of the dc-link capacitor for brushless DC motor (BLDCM) drive systems. In order to estimate the dc-link capacitance, the BLDCM is operated in quadrant-II or -IV among four-quadrant operation. Quadrant-II and -IV are called reverse braking and forward braking, respectively. During the braking operation of the BLDCM, the capacitor is charged by the phase current and then the voltage is increased during the braking operation time. The capacitor current and voltage can be obtained by using the phase current sensor of BLDCM and the dc-link voltage sensor. The capacitance and be easily obtained by the voltage equation of the capacitor. The proposed method guarantees the reliable and simple calculation of the dc-link capacitance without additional hardware system except several the sensors already installed for the motor control system. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through both the simulation and experimental results.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 1998.10a
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• pp.819-822
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• 1998

A new active power filter (APF) circuit with a current compesation estimation method is proposed. The current compensation estimation method replaces a current sensor with an estimating circuit and therefore reduces the implementation cost In addition, a simple control scheme, based on the energy balance concept, is adopted to control the voltage of a DC capacitor. Therefore energy change in the DC capacitor can be compensanted in the next cycle. Since a sampling technique is used, a larger DC capacitor voltage ripple can be permissible and a relatively smaller DC capacitor can be used. The proposed method has advantages of the reduction of one current sensor, low implementation cost, and fast transient responses. The theoretical analysis and simulation results are given. The proposed control method is successfully verified by computer simulation.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers P
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.378-383
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• 2010

Due to the large capacity and low cost, DC link electrolytic capacitors with of energy storage and voltage regulation are used for almost all types of power converter as the DC/AC inverter or DC/DC converter. Electrolytic capacitor, which is the most of the time affected by the aging effect, plays very important role for the power converter system quality and reliability. Therefore, this paper proposes a simple method to estimate the capacitance variation of an electrolytic capacitor in order to analyze the internal characteristic decrease and worn-out state of an electrolytic capacitor. Simulation results by using capacitor storage energy computation show the validity of the proposed capacitance estimation method.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1752-1762
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• 2016

To achieve higher reliability in the modular multilevel converters (MMC) for HVDC transmission systems, the internal condition of the DC capacitors of the submodules (SM) needs to be monitored regularly. For an online estimation of the SM capacitance, a controlled AC current with double the fundamental frequency is injected into the circulating current loop of the MMC, which results in current and voltage ripples in the SM capacitors. The capacitor currents are calculated from the arm currents and their switching states. By processing these AC voltage and current components with digital filters, their capacitances are estimated by a recursive least square (RLS) algorithm. The validity of the proposed scheme has been verified by simulation results for a 300-MW, 300-kV HVDC system. In addition, its feasibility has been verified by experimental results obtained with a reduced-scale prototype. It has been shown that the estimation errors for both the simulation and experimental tests are 1.32% at maximum.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.432-444
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• 2018

This paper presents a capacitor voltage balancing topology using a three-level boost converter (TLBC) for a neutral point clamped (NPC) three-level inverter fed surface permanent magnet synchronous motor drive (SPMSM). It enhanced the performance of the drive in terms of its voltage THD and torque pulsation. The main attracting feature of the proposed control is the boosting of the input voltage and at the same time the balancing of the capacitor voltages. This control also reduces the computational complexity. For the purpose of close loop vector control, a software based cost effective resolver to digital converter RDC-less estimation is implemented to calculate the speed and position. The proposed drive is simulated in the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment and an experimental investigation using dSPACE DS1104 validates the proposed drive system at different operating condition.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.335-342
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• 2000

A new control method for a single-phase active power filter, based on a load current estimation using a DC capacitor voltage of active power filter without sensing nonlinear load current, is proposed in this paper. Because the method proposed can remove the load current sensor in comparison with a conventional method sensing the load current and DC capacitor voltage together, it can make the active power filter easy installation, low cost, small size with no performance detriment. In addition, sample-hold technique and proportional control method is adopted to control the DC capacitor voltage and as no delay element such as LPF or PI control in the conventional method is used, the transient response is fast and good. Operation of a single-phase active power filter which consist of eight mode is explained according to utility voltage, compensation current and switch state, and compensation characteristics of active power filter using proposed method is verified by experiment.

• Proceedings of the KIPE Conference
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• 2002.07a
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• pp.399-402
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• 2002

In this paper, the novel method is proposed to measure the capacitance of the dc link capacitor Advantage of the method is not to separate capacitor from 3-phase AC/DC/AC converters. In the proposed method, a specific low frequency current is injected to oscillate the voltage of dc capacitor at no load condition. The capacitance of dc capacitor is calculated with the effective values of this ripple voltage and current. The validity of the proposed method is confirmed by PSIM simulation.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers P
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2010

DC link electrolytic capacitors are widely used in various PWM power converter system, such as adjustable speed driver(ASD) or DC/DC converter. Electrolytic capacitors, which is the most of the time affected by aging effect, plays a very important role for the power electronics system quality and reliability. This objective of this paper is to propose a improvement method to detect the rise of equivalent series resistor(ESR) in order to realize the online failure prediction of electrolytic capacitor for DC link of PWM power converter. The ESR detection scheme is based on the determination of the electrolytic capacitor AC losses calculated from voltage/current measurement using AC coupling. Therefore, the preposed online failure prediction method has the merits of easy ESR computation and circuit simplicity compare with BPF method. Simulation results show the veridity of the proposed on-line ESR estimation method.