ESIC-AGI FA24 Power Seminar Series: Overview of Brushless DC Motors and Control Methods for Torque Ripple Reduction

About the event

Energy Systems Innovation Center & Advanced Grid Institute presents Overview of Brushless DC Motors and Control Methods for Torque Ripple Reduction by Dr. Milad Ebrahimi, ESIC/WSU

Overview
Brushless DC (BLDC) motors are widely utilized in many applications due to their low cost, simple manufacturing, and good torque-speed characteristics. The BLDC motors typically use the basic six-step commutation, which has a low switching frequency and straightforward switching algorithm. However, the six-step commutation method leads to distorted current waveforms and large torque ripples. This main shortcoming of the BLDC motors can limit their application in servosystems where low torque ripples and low acoustic noise are essential. Several algorithms have been proposed to mitigate the torque ripples in BLDCs. The presenter will first provide an overview of the structure, control, and operation of BLDC motors. Afterward, he will present a novel and straightforward technique to reduce the torque ripples in BLDCs. The analysis will be supported by simulations and experimental results on a typical industrial BLDC motor.

Bio
Dr. Milad Ebrahimi, Assistant Professor joined the School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science at Washington State University (WSU), Pullman, in August 2024. He received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from The University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, Canada where he was also a Postdoctoral Research and Teaching Fellow. He also has M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees from Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran. He is also a registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia (EGBC). His primary research interests include: modeling and control of renewable energy systems, power electronics, and electrical machines; as well as power-hardware-in-the-loop real-time electromagnetic transient simulations.