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Results for “improved transient performance”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Robust Disturbance Rejection Rotor Current Control of Doubly-Fed Induction Generators

This article proposes a robust transient disturbance rejection current controller (TDRCC) to improve the transient performance of doubly-fed induction generators (DFIGs) in wind turbines during grid disturbances, such as short circuits. Here, the proposed robust TDRCC replaces the proportional-integral-derivative (PID) current controllers conventionally used in the vector control scheme of the DFIG rotor side converter (RSC). The TDRCC estimates the transient disturbances caused by grid faults or other external disturbances and provides compensation to the DFIG rotor voltage in the current control loops of the RSC to improve the robustness of the controller to disturbance. A sliding-mode current controller (SMCC) is also designed to highlight the transient performance improvement of the DFIG using the TDRCC over the state-of-the-art control methods during grid short circuit faults. Simulation studies are conducted in PSCAD/EMTDC for a 3.6-MW DFIG wind turbine with the proposed TDRCC, the conventional PI controller, and the SMCC, respectively during the most severe balanced three-phase grid short circuit fault specified by the U.S. grid code as well as an unbalance single-phase grid short circuit fault. Hardware experiments are conducted on a 200-W DFIG wind turbine emulator with the three different controllers for the same three-phase short circuit fault. Simulation and hardware experiment results show that the TDRCC reduces the peak rotor current significantly when compared with the PI and SMCC controlled DFIG system and, therefore, would help prolong the lifespan of the DFIG's power electronics and reduce maintenance costs.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Design Considerations of DC/DC Regulator for High-Power Dynamic Wireless Charging Systems

Due to fast fluctuating input voltage, dynamic wireless charging requires a post-regulator stage for battery charging control and management. This regulator stage has a high requirement on efficiency, size as well as control performance to ensure tight regulation and fast trainset. This paper addresses the control challenges by modeling the system and designing the compensator with input voltage feedforward control. In addition, high resolution PWM is implemented to improve transient performance and current balancing among the phases. Experimental results prove the effectiveness of the proposed schemes and validates 180 kW closed-loop 4-phase operation at 99% efficiency.

Xue, Lincoln↗
NASA NTRS2010

A Modified Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) High Gain Antenna (HGA) Controller Based on Flight Performance

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) was launched on June 18, 2009 and is currently in a 50 km mean altitude polar orbit around the Moon. LRO was designed and built by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD. The spacecraft is three-axis stabilized via the attitude control system (ACS), which is composed of various control modes using different sets of sensors and actuators. In addition to pointing the spacecraft, the ACS is responsible for pointing LRO s two appendages, the Solar Array (SA) and the High Gain Antenna (HGA). This study reviews LRO s HGA control system. Starting with an overview of the HGA system, the paper delves into the single input single output (SISO) linear analysis followed by the controller design. Based on flight results, an alternate control scheme is devised to address inherent features in the flight control system. The modified control scheme couples the HGA loop with the spacecraft pointing control loop, and through analysis is shown to be stable and improve transient performance. Although proposed, the LRO project decided against implementing this modification.

Shah, Neerav↗
DOE OSTI2026

Validation Studies of RELAP5-3D for High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor Analysis Using a Refined RELAP5-3D Model of the High Temperature Test Facility

RELAP5-3D has been used extensively for high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) analysis, but such analysis lies outside the validation basis for the code. Oregon State University (OSU) and the United States Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Reactor Technologies (ART) – Gas-cooled reactor campaign worked together to design and operate the High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) at OSU to provide validation data for prismatic HTGR thermal hydraulics analysis. Work using a previous RELAP5-3D model of HTTF demonstrated the ability to reproduce trends in HTTF data but an inability to reproduce the values measured in multiple experiments within the uncertainty. It was hypothesized that a new model with a finer radial nodalization would perform better for HTTF analysis. In this paper, we present the development of that more refined model and analyze HTTF experiments PG-27 and PG-29, a pressurized (PCC) and depressurized conduction cooldown (DCC) transient. Comparing PG-27 results to experimental data shows a better prediction of steady state and transient temperatures; however, a deeper dive reveals that better transient temperature predictions are a result of better initial conditions. The transient temperature rise in the core is comparable between the two models, but the legacy model predicts temperatures in the reflectors better. The new model demonstrates the ability to predict unique temperatures in each sector of the core during PG-29, capturing the azimuthal asymmetry; however, the temperature predictions still differ from measured temperatures. One hypothesis is that differences between the assumed and actual power distribution leads to the underprediction of the individual block temperatures. These results suggest that gaps and uncertainties in the measured boundary conditions for the HTTF tests do not allow to fully validate RELAP5-3D for prismatic HTGR analyses. The authors suspect that some of the differences between predicted and measured temperatures may be a result of uncertainties associated with HTTF itself rather than RELAP5-3D. We demonstrated improved validation for steady-state analysis, but significantly improved transient performance has yet to be recognized.

22 - GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Small-Signal Modeling and Design of Phase-Locked Loops Using Harmonic Signal-Flow Graphs

This report introduces signal-flow graphs for linear time-periodic systems to streamline and visually describe the frequency-domain modeling of complex phase-locked loop (PLL) systems used in grid-connected converters. Small-signal modeling using the proposed graphs is demonstrated for two commonly used single-phase PLL structures: SOGI-PLL and Park-PLL. Loop-gain models are developed for these PLLs to evaluate how an orthogonal signal generator (OSG), which is required in single-phase PLLs using the synchronous reference frame (SRF) architecture, modifies the PLL loop-gain compared to that of a three-phase SRF-PLL, which does not require an OSG. It is shown that the OSG in the SOGI-PLL and Park-PLL introduces significant phase-lag in the PLL loop-gain, limiting the maximum bandwidth for which either PLL can be designed. Slow frequency adaptation (SFA) of OSG is proposed as a solution to mitigate the influence of the OSG dynamics on the PLL loop-gain. Experimental results are presented to validate the developed loop-gain models and show that the proposed SFA-SOGI-PLL and SFA-Park-PLL have improved transient performance, they do not suffer from the bandwidth limit, and they also preserve the steady-state performance of the standard SOGI-PLL and Park-PLL.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
NASA NTRS1973

A 'type one' servo explicit model following adaptive scheme.

This paper describes 'type 1' servo techniques applied to explicit model following systems. The advantages of using these are: (1) steady-state decoupling is provided for the controlled state variables as determined by a reference input (the pilot command for example), (2) overall stability of the decoupled adaptive scheme is guaranteed, (3) a zero steady-state error for those state variables incorporating integral feedback, to a constant input reference, and (4) improved transient performance. Example calculations have been performed using a mathematical model for a typical fighter aircraft and a desired performance reference model based on satisfactory aircraft flying qualities. Numerical results are given.

Tiroshi, I.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Adaptive Control with Reference Model Modification

This paper presents a modification of the conventional model reference adaptive control (MRAC) architecture in order to improve transient performance of the input and output signals of uncertain systems. A simple modification of the reference model is proposed by feeding back the tracking error signal. It is shown that the proposed approach guarantees tracking of the given reference command and the reference control signal (one that would be designed if the system were known) not only asymptotically but also in transient. Moreover, it prevents generation of high frequency oscillations, which are unavoidable in conventional MRAC systems for large adaptation rates. The provided design guideline makes it possible to track a reference commands of any magnitude from any initial position without re-tuning. The benefits of the method are demonstrated with a simulation example

Stepanyan, Vahram↗
DOE OSTI2020

Characterization and Analysis of Insulated Metal Substrate-Based SiC Power Module for Traction Application

This paper presents the electrical characterization and drive cycle--based thermal analysis of an insulated metal substrate (IMS)--based silicon carbide power module for high-power traction inverters. The substrate was constructed using a thin layer of polymer--ceramic blend dielectric material with a thick copper core to improve transient thermal performance. The cooling performance of this module has already been validated with promising results. In this paper, an experimental test bed was set up to evaluate the dynamic and static electrical performance of the designed module under a wide range of operating conditions. The characterization results were then used to develop a drive cycle--based thermal model to validate the performance compared to the traditional direct bonded copper--based power module. The results indicate that the IMS-based power module is a suitable solution for high-power traction applications.

Chowdhury, Shajjad↗
DOE OSTI2019

Design, Analysis and Comparison of Insulated Metal Substrates for High Power Wide-Bandgap Power Modules

In this technical paper, design, analysis and comparison of insulated metal substrates for high power wide-bandgap semiconductor-based power modules is discussed. The paper starts with technical description and discussion of state-of-the-art direct bonded copper substrates with different ceramic insulators such as AlN, Al2O3 and Si3N4. This is followed by introduction of insulated metal substrates, material properties and options on each layer, and design approach for high power applications. The properties of dielectric thickness, and impact on power handling capability of the substrate are discussed. Insulated metal substrate design approach for SiC MOSFET based power modules is presented. Finite element analysis-based characterization and comparison of different designs including steady-state and transient thermal response is presented. The results show that IMS is a promising alternative to DBC in high power modules with improved transient thermal performance. IMS provides flexible building structure with multi-layer stacking options and variable thicknesses at different layers.

Gurpinar, Emre↗
NASA NTRS1972

ASDTIC duty-cycle control for power converters

The application of analog signal to discrete interval converter (ASDTIC), a hybrid micromodule, two loop control subsystem, to a switching, stepdown dc to dc converter is described. The power circuitry, interface and ASDTIC subsystems used in this switching regulator were developed to exhibit the improved regulation, transient performance, regulator stability and freedom from the effects of variations in parts characteristics due to environmental changes and aging. ASDTIC can be used with other types of power circuits that use duty-cycle control techniques by simple changes in the interface subsystem. The circuitry and performance characteristics of a +10V dc switching converter as well as that of the ASDTIC micromodule are described. Realization of the ASDTIC hybrid micromodule has been accomplished with a hermetically sealed, beam-lead, bonded/deposited nichrome thin film resistors, discrete capacitors and integrated circuits on dilithic, glazed alumina substrates using 22 feed through terminals in an integrated package.

Lalli, V. R.↗
NASA NTRS1972

ASDTIC duty-cycle control for power converters.

The application of analog signal to discrete interval converter (ASDTIC), a hybrid micromodule, two-loop control subsystem, to a switching, stepdown dc-to-dc converter is described. The power circuitry, interface and ASDTIC subsystems used in this switching regulator were developed to exhibit the improved regulation, transient performance, regulator stability, and freedom from the effects of variations in parts characteristics due to environmental changes and aging. The circuitry and performance characteristics of a +10-V dc switching converter as well as that of the ASDTIC micromodule are described. Realization of the ASDTIC hybrid micromodule has been accomplished with hermetically sealed, beam-lead, bonded/deposited nichrome thin film resistors, discrete capacitors, and integrated circuits on dilithic, glazed alumina substrates, using 22 feed through terminals in an integrated package.

Lalli, V. R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Techniques for improving transients in learning control systems

A discrete modern control formulation is used to study the nature of the transient behavior of the learning process during repetitions. Several alternative learning control schemes are developed to improve the transient performance. These include a new method using an alternating sign on the learning gain, which is very effective in limiting peak transients and also very useful in multiple-input, multiple-output systems. Other methods include learning at an increasing number of points progressing with time, or an increasing number of points of increasing density.

Chang, C.-K.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Certainty Equivalence M-MRAC for Systems with Unmatched Uncertainties

The paper presents a certainty equivalence state feedback indirect adaptive control design method for the systems of any relative degree with unmatched uncertainties. The approach is based on the parameter identification (estimation) model, which is completely separated from the control design and is capable of producing parameter estimates as fast as the computing power allows without generating high frequency oscillations. It is shown that the system's input and output tracking errors can be systematically decreased by the proper choice of the design parameters.

Unmatched uncertainties↗
NASA NTRS1984

The dynamics and control of large flexible space structures, part 7

A preliminary Eulerian formulation of the in-plane dynamics of the proposed spacecraft control laboratory experiment configuration is undertaken when the mast is treated as a cantilever type beam and the reflector as a lumped mass at the end of the beam. Frequency and mode shapes are obtained for the open loop model of the beam system and the stability of closed loop control systems is analyzed by both frequency and time domain techniques. Environmental disturbances due to solar radiation pressure are incorporated into models of controlled large flexible orbiting platforms. Thermally induced deformations of simple beam and platform type structures are modelled and expressions developed for the disturbance torques resulting from the interaction of solar radiation pressure. Noise effects in the deterministic model of the hoop/column antenna system are found to cause a degradation in system performance. Appropriate changes in the ratio of plant noise to the measurement noise and/or changes in the control weighting matrix elements can improve transient and steady state performance.

Bainum, P. M.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Steady-state fuel performance analyses for the preliminary fuel concept of general atomics fast modular reactor

Here this manuscript presents the fuel performance analysis results of the General Atomics Fast Modular Reactor (FMR) based on an axi-symmetric (2D-RZ) geometry. Three fuel performance model sets that fit the FMR fuel specifications best, i.e., a BISON baseline model set, a BISON diffusion enhancement model set, and a BISON-FASTGRASS model set, were identified and evaluated against a series of relevant experimental cases featuring high burnup and low irradiation temperature conditions. The three BISON-based model sets were then utilized to conduct a comprehensive fuel performance analysis of the FMR fuel under normal operation including the shutdown/restarting periods for refueling. The evaluation of the fuel performance parameters, represented by temperature, internal pressure, stress, and strain, shows that the FMR fuel maintains its thermal and mechanical integrity during normal operation. Technology gaps and limitations are also discussed to guide future efforts for extending the performance analysis to transient scenarios as well as improving the fuel performance evaluation through experiments.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Sparse Control Synthesis for Uncertain Responsive Loads With Stochastic Stability Guarantees

In this report, recent studies have demonstrated the potential of flexible loads in providing frequency response services, predominantly due to their availability and cost-effectiveness. However, uncertainty and variability in various weather-related and end-use behavioral factors often impact the reliability of demand-side control performance. This work addresses this problem with the design of a demand-side control to achieve frequency response under load uncertainties. Our approach involves modeling the load uncertainties via stochastic processes that appear as both multiplicative and additive in the power system dynamics. Recently developed mean square exponential stability (MSES) results for continuous-time linear stochastic systems are applied to pose the control synthesis problem which results in an LMI-based optimization problem. Additional costs and constraints are added to the LMI-based controller synthesis to ensure MSES, improve closed-loop transient performance, maximize tolerable uncertainties, and promote sparsity in the controller. Additionally, the fundamental limitations between the tolerable uncertainties and control efforts while ensuring MSES are discussed. Further, the control synthesis problem for the case of the full-state measurement is generalized to the case of partial-state measurements. The proposed control synthesis is illustrated on an IEEE 39 bus system with rigorous studies to demonstrate the role of sparsity, closed-loop transient performance, tolerable uncertainties, and control efforts while ensuring MSES and achieving frequency response.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1978

Temperature distributions and thermal stresses in a graded zirconia/metal gas path seal system for aircraft gas turbine engines

A ceramic/metallic aircraft gas turbine outer gas path seal designed for improved engine performance was studied. Transient temperature and stress profiles in a test seal geometry were determined by numerical analysis. During a simulated engine deceleration cycle from sea-level takeoff to idle conditions, the maximum seal temperature occurred below the seal surface, therefore the top layer of the seal was probably subjected to tensile stresses exceeding the modulus of rupture. In the stress analysis both two- and three-dimensional finite element computer programs were used. Predicted trends of the simpler and more easily usable two-dimensional element programs were borne out by the three-dimensional finite element program results.

Taylor, C. M.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Soft-Fault Detection Technologies Developed for Electrical Power Systems

The NASA Glenn Research Center, partner universities, and defense contractors are working to develop intelligent power management and distribution (PMAD) technologies for future spacecraft and launch vehicles. The goals are to provide higher performance (efficiency, transient response, and stability), higher fault tolerance, and higher reliability through the application of digital control and communication technologies. It is also expected that these technologies will eventually reduce the design, development, manufacturing, and integration costs for large, electrical power systems for space vehicles. The main focus of this research has been to incorporate digital control, communications, and intelligent algorithms into power electronic devices such as direct-current to direct-current (dc-dc) converters and protective switchgear. These technologies, in turn, will enable revolutionary changes in the way electrical power systems are designed, developed, configured, and integrated in aerospace vehicles and satellites. Initial successes in integrating modern, digital controllers have proven that transient response performance can be improved using advanced nonlinear control algorithms. One technology being developed includes the detection of "soft faults," those not typically covered by current systems in use today. Soft faults include arcing faults, corona discharge faults, and undetected leakage currents. Using digital control and advanced signal analysis algorithms, we have shown that it is possible to reliably detect arcing faults in high-voltage dc power distribution systems (see the preceding photograph). Another research effort has shown that low-level leakage faults and cable degradation can be detected by analyzing power system parameters over time. This additional fault detection capability will result in higher reliability for long-lived power systems such as reusable launch vehicles and space exploration missions.

Button, Robert M.↗