Fuzzy Logic Control of Electric Motors and Motor Drives: Feasibility Study

Electric motors use 60% of the electrical energy generated in the U.S. An improvement of 1% in all electric motors’ operating efficiency could result in reduced coal combustion of 6.5 to 10 million tons* per year. New techniques are required to extract the ultimate performance from modern motors. This study examined the feasibility of Fuzzy Logic Motor Control (FLMC). The investigation included 1) reviews of existing applications of fuzzy logic, of motor operation, and of motor control; 2) a description of motor control schemes that can use FLMC; 3) selection of a motor stator voltage control scheme to minimize motor input power at specified speed/torque conditions; and 4) development and demonstration of software to simulate both ac motor performance and a fuzzy logic controller for optimized motor efficiency. Simulated FLMC results compared favorably with other motor control approaches. Potential emissions reductions were quantitated based on preliminary predictions of FLMC performance. This Project Summary was developed by EPA’s Air and Energy Engineering Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC, to announce key findings of the research project that is fully documented in a separate report of the same title (see Project Report ordering information at back).