Renewable energy sources in DC microgrids require high-performance conversion systems to increase their capacity and reliability. Among other characteristics in conversion systems, the current ripple is a characteristic that must be considered since it affects the performance of PV panels and batteries. In this paper, a high-voltage-gain DC–DC boost converter for performing current ripple elimination that is based on a variable inductor is proposed. The topology is composed of a diode–capacitor voltage multiplier and a modified cascaded boost converter. To achieve voltage regulation, a reduced-order switched model is obtained considering the switched capacitor’s dynamics. To address the inductance variation and external disturbances, the $H_{\infty }$ control theory is adapted to systematically design a robust proportional–integral (PI) controller. Details of the working principles and the sizing of passive components are presented. The simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the input current ripple of the proposed converter can be removed in both transitory and steady states.

A zero-ripple input current is known to improve the lifetime of battery sets and fuel cells and to assure maximum power point tracking in PV panels. To perform current ripple elimination in a floating interleaved boost converter (FIBC), one of the typical linear inductors is substituted by a variable inductor, and phases of the converter have complementary duty cycles. This variable inductor is controlled using a switched current-source converter, which adjusts the input current ripple. An equivalent model for the variable inductor is presented, including uncertainties in the component description. To achieve current stabilization, a variable inductor controller was designed using the sliding modes approach via fixed frequency. An experimental prototype is implemented and tested with an output voltage controller to compare with the conventional FIBC. The results demonstrate that the input current ripple of the proposed converter is eliminated without significantly decreasing the efficiency.

En este artículo se presenta un esquema de control para regular la velocidad en un vehículo eléctrico con dos motores en su eje trasero. Para el giro del vehículo se requiere velocidad diferencial en los dos motores. Se presenta el modelo matemático detallado del vehículo eléctrico, contemplando las dinámicas de los diferentes componentes que lo integran y las interconexiones de todos los elementos. Se incluye un controlador basado en cinemática inversa, para calcular las referencias requeridas en cada uno de los motores. Con base en las referencias calculadas, se desarrolló un controlador robusto por modos deslizantes, para garantizar la estabilidad del sistema completo. Se realizaron diversas simulaciones para verificar el desempeño del sistema en lazo cerrado, con el esquema de control propuesto. Los resultados muestran un buen desempeño del controlador, cuando se somete a diferentes perturbaciones, tales como variaciones paramétricas y perturbaciones externas, en este caso variaciones en la masa del conductor y pendientes del camino. Además, se incluye la discretización del controlador y una propuesta para su implementación en un sistema embebido.

Finite-set model predictive control (FS-MPC) is an easy and intuitive control technique. However, parametric uncertainties reduce the accuracy of the prediction. Classical MPC requires many calculations; therefore, the calculation time generates a considerable time delay in the actuation. This delay deteriorates the performance of the system and generates a significant current ripple. This paper proposes a finite-set integral sliding modes predictive control (FS-ISMPC) for a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). The conventional decision function is replaced by an integral sliding cost function, which has several advantages, such as robustness to parameter uncertainties, and convergence in finite time. The proposed decision function does not require the inductance and resistance parameters of the motor. In addition, the proposal includes compensation for the calculation delay of the control vector. The proposed control strategy was compared with traditional predictive control with delay compensation using a real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation. The results obtained from the comparison indicated that the proposed controller has a lower THD and computational burden.

The regulation of output voltage in power converters often demands nonlinear control techniques; however, their implementation is challenging when deployed on low-cost hardware with limited computational resources. To address this difficulty, the modeling via the sector nonlinearity technique is adopted to represent the converter dynamics as a convex combination of linear vertex models. Building on this representation, this article proposes a vertex-based convex PI controller that significantly reduces the required online computations compared to conventional convex controllers relying on full-state feedback. In the proposed scheme, the inductor current is used solely to evaluate the weighting functions, avoiding the need to compute control gains associated with this state. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated through offline simulations and validated using hardware-in-the-loop experiments.

Las pruebas aceleradas de corrosión son esenciales para el diseño de estructuras metálicas empleadas en ambientes con altas concentraciones de NaCl. La cámara de niebla salina es un equipo de laboratorio que proporciona una atmosfera corrosiva controlada. En este trabajo se propone el uso de discos piezoeléctricos para la pulverización de la solución, sustituyendo los equipos tradicionales que emplean aire comprimido, lo que reduce el volumen y costo. Para la implementación de los dispositivos propuestos, se ha integrado el uso de sensores, una resistencia calefactora de 250 W y una interfaz con pantallas de cristal líquido para monitorear las variables de interés, incluyendo tres microcontroladores Arduino que son programados para procesar los datos obtenidos. Los resultados experimentales indican que la propuesta permite un control preciso de la humedad y la temperatura con un bajo consumo energético de menos de 25W, además de una producción uniforme de las partículas de aerosol suspendido. Se concluye que la tecnología piezoeléctrica es capaz de sustituir al sistema de compresión de aire, asimismo ofrece una alternativa para pulverizar la solución salina, con una menor potencia y costo.