Current Sensor Fault Tolerant strategy for a Wound Rotor Synchronous Machine

This paper introduces a fault-tolerant control method for current sensors in a Wound Rotor Synchronous Machine (WRSM). These types of machines are commonly used in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) setups. The methodology involves estimating stator currents and integrating a comparison algorithm to detect potential faults in the current sensors. Upon identifying a fault in one of the current sensors, the control system smoothly transitions to a sensorless current control mode. The proposed control method utilizes a flux-based model of the WRSM to estimate stator currents and manage the machine during the post-fault period. This transition to sensorless control mode is rapid and has no adverse effects on rotor speed. The performance of the proposed current sensor fault detection and the subsequent sensorless control are validated through simulations and experimental tests conducted on a test bench.