Search Results (12)

The quality of a grid-injected current in LCL-type grid-connected inverters (GCI) degrades under ultra-weak grid conditions, posing serious challenges to the stability of the GCI system. For this purpose, the sliding mode control (SMC) approach has been utilized to integrate DC energy seamlessly into the grid. The control performance of a GCI equipped with an LCL filter is greatly reduced when it is operating in a power grid with varying impedance and fluctuating grid voltages, which may result in poor current quality and possible instability in the system. A non-singular double integral terminal sliding mode (DIT-SMC) control is presented in this paper for a three-phase GCI with an LCL filter. The proposed method is presented in the α, β frame of reference without adopting an active or passive damping approach, reducing the computational burden. MATLAB/Simulink Version R2023b is leveraged to simulate the mathematical model of the proposed control system. The capability of the DIT-SMC method is validated through the OPAL-RT hardware-in-loop (HIL) platform. The effectiveness of the proposed method is first compared with SMC and integral terminal SMC, and then the DIT-SMC method is rigorously analyzed under resonance frequency events, grid impedance variation, and grid voltage distortions. It is demonstrated by the experimental results that the proposed control is highly effective in delivering a high-quality current into the grid, in spite of the simultaneous occurrence of power grid impedance variations in 6 mH and large voltage distortions. Full article

Dual-Active-Bridge (DAB) DC–DC converters are becoming increasingly favored for their efficiency in transferring electrical power across varying voltage levels. They are crucial in enhancing safety and reliability in various fields, such as renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, and the power supplies of electronic devices. This paper introduces a new control strategy for bidirectional isolated DAB DC–DC converters, implementing a Double Integral Super Twisting Sliding Mode Control (DI-STSMC) to accurately regulate the output voltage and current. The approach starts with a state-space representation to mathematically model the DAB converter. In light of model uncertainties and external disturbances, a robust DI-STSMC controller has been formulated to optimize the DAB converter’s output performance. This method achieves zero steady-state error without chattering and provides a quick response to fluctuations in load and reference changes. The validity of the proposed technique is demonstrated through simulation results and a control hardware-in-the-loop (CHIL) experimental setup, using Typhoon HIL 606 and Imperix B-Box RCP 3.0 on a 230 W DAB converter. Furthermore, the paper offers a comparative analysis of the DI-STSMC with other control strategies, such as the proportional-integral (PI) controller, standard sliding mode control (SMC), and integral sliding mode control (ISMC). Full article

Soft magnetic composites (SMCs) such as FeNi₅₀ are indispensable in modern electronics due to their high magnetic permeability and low-loss characteristics, meeting the requirements for miniaturization and high-frequency operation. However, the integration of organic materials, initially aimed at reducing the total losses, presents challenges by introducing thermal stability issues at high frequencies. To overcome this obstacle, we propose a double-layer insulating coating method, applying a complete inorganic/organic composite insulation layer to the surface of iron–nickel magnetic powder. The double-layer insulating coating insulation method aims to reduce the total losses, particularly the eddy-current losses prevalent in SMCs. Additionally, the double-layer insulating coating method helps alleviate the thermal stability issues associated with organic materials at high frequencies, ultimately enhancing the magnetic properties of SMCs. We systematically investigated the influence of different resin types on the microstructure of the double-layer insulating coating, accompanied by a comprehensive comparison of the magnetic properties of the resulting samples. The experimental findings demonstrate a significant reduction in the eddy-current losses through the double-layer insulating coating method, with the total losses decreasing by over 95% compared to the initial FeNi₅₀ magnetic powder composite (MPC) materials. Notably, the sodium silicate and silicone resins exhibited superior performances as double-layer insulating coatings, achieving total loss reductions of 1350 W/kg and 1492 W/kg, respectively. In conclusion, the double-layer insulating coating method addresses the challenges related to the total losses and thermal stability in SMCs, offering a promising approach to improve their performance in various electrical and electronic applications. Full article

The mathematical model of a flexible multistate switch (FMSS) exhibits nonlinear and strong coupling characteristics, whereas traditional power decoupling control makes it difficult to completely decouple the output power. The traditional proportional–integral control parameters are difficult to adjust, and their robustness and dynamic performance are poor, which affects the stability of the voltage of the power distribution network and feeder power. To address these problems, this study first converted the original system into a linear system via coordinate transformation using feedback-accurate linearization to decouple active and reactive currents. Thereafter, a super-twisting sliding mode control (ST-SMC) algorithm was introduced, and an adaptive quasi-super-twisting sliding mode control (AQST-SMC) algorithm comprising the quasi-sliding mode function and adaptive proportional term was proposed. An FMSS double closed-loop controller was designed to achieve improved vibration suppression and convergence speed. A three-port FMSS simulation model was developed using MATLAB/Simulink, and the simulation results show that the proposed control strategy enhances the robustness and dynamic performance of the system. Full article

Muscle formation directly determines meat production and quality. The non-SMC condensin I complex subunit G (NCAPG) is strongly linked to the growth features of domestic animals because it is essential in controlling muscle growth and development. This study aims to elucidate the tissue expression level of the bovine NCAPG gene, and determine the key transcription factors for regulating the bovine NCAPG gene. In this study, we observed that the bovine NCAPG gene exhibited high expression levels in longissimus dorsi and spleen tissues. Subsequently, we cloned and characterized the promoter region of the bovine NCAPG gene, consisting of a 2039 bp sequence, through constructing the deletion fragment double-luciferase reporter vector and site-directed mutation-identifying core promoter region with its key transcription factor binding site. In addition, the key transcription factors of the core promoter sequence of the bovine NCAPG gene were analyzed and predicted using online software. Furthermore, by integrating overexpression experiments and the electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), we have shown that cAMP response element binding protein 1 (CREB1) and myogenic differentiation 1 (MYOD1) bind to the core promoter region (−598/+87), activating transcription activity in the bovine NCAPG gene. In conclusion, these findings shed important light on the regulatory network mechanism that underlies the expression of the NCAPG gene throughout the development of the muscles in beef cattle. Full article

Cigarette smoke (CS) is a risk factor for inflammatory diseases, such as atherosclerosis. CS condensate (CSC) contains lipophilic components that may represent a systemic cardiac risk factor. To better understand CSC effects, we incubated mouse and human aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) with CSC. We evaluated specific markers for contractile [i.e., actin, aortic smooth muscle (ACTA2), calponin-1 (CNN1), the Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), and myocardin (MYOCD) genes] and inflammatory [i.e., IL-1β, and IL-6, IL-8, and galectin-3 (LGALS-3) genes] phenotypes. CSC increased the expression of inflammatory markers and reduced the contractile ones in both cell types, with KLF4 modulating the SMC phenotypic switch. Next, we performed a mass spectrometry-based differential proteomic approach on human SMCs and could show 11 proteins were significantly affected by exposition to CSC (FC ≥ 2.7, p ≤ 0.05). These proteins are active in signaling pathways related to expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and IFN, inflammasome assembly and activation, cytoskeleton regulation and SMC contraction, mitochondrial integrity and cellular response to oxidative stress, proteostasis control via ubiquitination, and cell proliferation and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Through specific bioinformatics resources, we showed their tight functional correlation in a close interaction niche mainly orchestrated by the interferon-induced double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase (alternative name: protein kinase RNA-activated; PKR) (EIF2AK2/PKR). Finally, by combining gene expression and protein abundance data we obtained a hybrid network showing reciprocal integration of the CSC-deregulated factors and indicating KLF4 and PKR as the most relevant factors. Full article

Developing precise and robust algorithms that can help in obtaining maximum power yield in a variable speed wind turbine is an important area of research in wind engineering. The present manuscript proposes a technique that utilizes a second-generation CRONE controller for the maximum power tracking technique (MPPT) to maximize power generation in a wind energy conversion system (WECS) based on a double-fed induction generator (DFIG). The authors propose this novel method because the classical controllers cannot provide adequate performance in terms of extracting the maximum energy from variable speed wind turbines when applying a real wind profile and they cannot guarantee the high stability of the WECS. Moreover, this novel controller sufficiently handles problems related to the control effort level. The performance of the second-generation CRONE method was mathematically modeled using MATLAB/Simulink and compared with four other types of MPPT control techniques, which include a proportional-integral linear controller (PI), nonlinear sliding mode controller (SMC), backstepping controller (BS), and fuzzy logic controller (FLC). Two different wind profiles, a step wind profile and a real wind profile, were considered for the comparative study. The response time, dynamic error percentage, and static error percentage were the quantitative parameters compared, and the qualitative parameters included set-point tracking and precision. This test demonstrated the superiority of the second-generation CRONE controller in terms of all of the compared parameters. Full article

This paper proposes a composite nonlinear controller combining backstepping and double-integral sliding mode controllers for DC–DC boost converter (DDBC) feeding by constant power loads (CPLs) to improve the DC-bus voltage stability under large disturbances in DC distribution systems. In this regard, an exact feedback linearization approach is first used to transform the nonlinear dynamical model into a simplified linear system with canonical form so that it becomes suitable for designing the proposed controller. Another important feature of applying the exact feedback linearization approach in this work is to utilize its capability to cancel nonlinearities appearing due to the incremental negative-impedance of CPLs and the non-minimum phase problem related to the DDBC. Second, the proposed backstepping double integral-sliding mode controller (BDI-SMC) is employed on the feedback linearized system to determine the control law. Afterwards, the Lyapunov stability theory is used to analyze the closed-loop stability of the overall system. Finally, a simulation study is conducted under various operating conditions of the system to validate the theoretical analysis of the proposed controller. The simulation results are also compared with existing sliding mode controller (ESMC) and proportional-integral (PI) control schemes to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed BDI-SMC. Full article

The importance of microgrids has been acknowledged with the increasing amount of research in direct current (DC) microgrids. The main reason for this is the straightforward structure and efficient performance. In this research article, double integral sliding mode controllers (DISMCs) have been proposed for energy harvesting and DC microgrid management involving renewable sources and a hybrid energy storage system (HESS). DISMC offers a better dynamic response and reduced amount of chattering than the traditional sliding mode controllers. In the first stage, the state differential model for the grid was derived. Then, the nonlinear control laws were proposed for the PV system and hybrid energy storage system to achieve the main objective of voltage regulation at the DC link. In the later part, the system’s asymptotic stability was proven using Lyapunov stability criteria. Finally, an energy management algorithm was provided to ensure the DC microgrid’s smooth operation within the safe operating limit. The proposed system’s effectiveness was validated by implementing on MATLAB/Simulink software and comparing against sliding mode control and Lyapunov redesign. Moreover, to ensure the proposed controller’s practical viability for this scheme, it has been tested on real-time hardware-in-the-loop test bench. Full article

A novel discrete-valued model-predictive control (DVMPC) algorithm termed DVMPC2 for the position control of pneumatic actuators using inexpensive on/off valves is presented. DVMPC2 includes a more flexible cost function, an improved prediction strategy, and other improvements. The actuator is a double-acting cylinder with two on/off solenoid poppet valves connected to each chamber. To reduce the switching frequency and prolong the valve life, DVMPC2 directly switches the valves when necessary, instead of using relatively high-frequency pulse-width modulation. Experimental comparisons are made with the state-of-the-art sliding-mode control (SMC) algorithm and the previous DVMPC algorithm. The comparisons are based on the five performance metrics: integral of time-weighted absolute error (ITAE), root mean square error (RMSE), overshoot (OS), steady-state error (SSE), and valve switches per second (SPS). The robustness is evaluated by increasing and decreasing the total mass of the moving components while keeping the controller parameters constant. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is superior to the previous DVMPC and outperformed SMC by a wide margin. Specifically, DVMPC2 reduced ITAE by 80%, RMSE by 52%, OS by 43%, and SPS by 20% relative to SMC. There was no clear winner in terms of SSE. Full article

The key issue in the implementation of the Sliding Mode Control (SMC) in analogue circuits and power electronic converters is its variable switching frequency. The drifting frequency causes electromagnetic compatibility issues and also adversely affect the efficiency of the converter, because the proper size of the inductor and the capacitor depends upon the switching frequency. Pulse Width Modulation based SMC (PWM-SMC) offers the solution, however, it uses either boundary layer approach or employs pulse width modulation of the ideal equivalent control signal. The first technique compromises the performance within the boundary layer, while the latter may not possess properties like robustness and order reduction due to the absence of the discontinuous function. In this research, a novel approach to fix the switching frequency in SMC is proposed, that employs a low pass filter to extract the equivalent control from the discontinuous function, such that the performance and robustness remains intact. To benchmark the experimental observations, a comparison with existing double integral type PWM-SMC is also presented. The results confirm that an improvement of 20% in the rise time and 25.3% in the settling time is obtained. The voltage sag during step change in load is reduced to 42.86%, indicating the increase in the robustness. The experiments prove the hypothesis that a discontinuous function based fixed frequency SMC performs better in terms of disturbances rejection as compared to its counterpart based solely on ideal equivalent control. Full article

The rapid decrease in conventional energy resources and their harmful impact on the environment has brought the attention of the researchers towards the use of renewable energy technologies. The renewable energy systems are connected to Direct Current (DC) micro-grids via power electronic converters where the load conditions are unknown and network parameters are uncertain. These conditions call for the use of robust control techniques such as Sliding Mode Control (SMC) in order to regulate the grid voltage. However, SMC has a drawback of operating the power converter at variable switching frequency which results in degrading the power quality. This paper introduces a fixed frequency sliding mode controller that does not suffer from this predicament. A novel double integral type switching manifold is proposed to achieve voltage regulation of a DC micro-grid, in the presence of unknown load demands and un-modeled dynamics of the network. Rigorous mathematical analysis is carried out for the stability of the closed loop system and the technique is experimentally validated on position of a DC micro-grid using a specially designed test rig. For benchmarking purposes, a conventional Proportional Integral (PI) controller is also implemented. An improvement of 2.5% in rise time, 6.7% in settling time and reduction of voltage dip by 31.7% during load transaction is achieved as compared to the PI controller. The experiment confirms the hypothesis that fixed frequency SMC shows better performance than its counterpart in the phase of introduced disturbances. Full article