Analysis of estimated position error by magnetic saturation and compensating method for sensorless control of PMSM

- For a pump or a compressor motor, a high periodic load torque variation is induced by the mechanical works, and it causes system vibration and noise. To minimize these problems, load torque compensation method, injecting periodic torque current, could be utilized. However, with the sensorless control method, which is usually utilized in the pump and compressor for low cost, the periodic torque current degrades the accuracy of the rotor position estimation owing to the inductance variation. This paper analyzes the rotor position and speed estimation error of sensorless control method with constant motor parameters under period loading. Assuming the constant speed by the accurate load torque compensation, the speed error equation is derived in frequency domain with inductance depending on the stator current. Further, it is also shown that the rotor position error could be minimized by compensating the inductance variation. The simulation and experimental results verify that the derived speed error model and the validity of the inductance compensation method.