Experimental Identification of Induction Machine Flux Maps for Traction Applications

Nowadays the permanent magnet machines are a widespread solution in the automotive field. However, the induction machine (IM) represents a valid solution as it is rare-earth free and does not have induced stator back-emf in case of inverter turn-off. Regardless of the machine type, identification procedures are needed for torque control calibration and for optimal machine utilization in terms of efficiency and maximum torque production under inverter current and voltage constraints. For synchronous machines, a common and consolidated practice is to obtain the machine flux maps (current-to-flux relationship) in the rotor (d,q) frame using calibrated Finite Element Analysis (FEA) or experimental procedures. However, to the best of the authors' knowledge, the literature does not report an experimental approach able to obtain the flux maps for IMs. Therefore, this paper proposes an experimental procedure to obtain the IM flux maps in (d,q) rotor flux frame for inverter supply and real operating conditions. In addition, the proposed procedure is able to obtain the parameters of the IM equivalent circuit with no need of additional tests. Experimental validation is provided for a 4-poles IM rated 10 kW, 200 Hz.