Modeling and Control of a Low-Cost Driver For an Eddy Current Dynamometer

This study presents the development of a low-cost TRIAC-based control driver for an eddy current dynamometer. A simple continuous nonlinear dynamic model of the eddy current dynamometer has been developed based on the literature, with some particular simplifications. The model linearization and discretization, taking into account the frequency limitations of the proposed control driver, were presented. The control strategy was based on two proportional integral (PI) controllers which acted on the trigger angle of the TRIAC driver for the two operation modes: torque control and speed control. The gains of the discrete PI controllers were designed based on the plant parameters and the desired phase margin and crossover frequency. Experimental results have shown satisfactory transient and steady response performances for the eddy current dynamometer.