High-performance EHA controls using an interior permanent magnet motor

A controller for a high-performance electrohydrostatic actuator (EHA) using an interior permanent magnet (IPM) synchronous motor to produce servo motion is described. The buried-magnet design of the IPM motor yields desired characteristics such as high efficiency, robust rotor construction, and wide operating speed range. Power converter size is minimized by using insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) power switches combined with high-voltage integrated circuit (HVIC) gate drivers in phase-leg power modules. Experimental results for the demonstrator motor-controller hardware rated at 12 hp (continuous) are presented confirming the IPM motor drive's performance. >