SENSORLESS TORSIONAL MODE DAMPING SYSTEM AND METHOD
BACKGROUND
TECHNICAL FIELD
Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein generally relate to methods
and systems and, more particularly, to mechanisms and techniques for dampening
a torsional vibration that appears in a rotating system.
DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND
The oil and gas industry has a growing demand for driving various machines at
variable speeds. Such machines may include compressors, electrical motors,
expanders, gas turbines, pumps, etc. Variable frequency electrical drives increase
energy efficiency and provide an increased flexibility for the machines. One way
for driving, for example, a large gas compression train is the load commutated
inverter (LCI). However, a problem introduced by power electronics driven
systems is the generation of ripple components in the torque of the machine due
to electrical harmonics. The ripple component of the torque may interact with the
mechanical system at torsional natural frequencies of the drive train, which is
undesirable.
A torsional oscillation or vibration is an oscillatory angular motion that may appear
in a rotor having various masses attached to it as shown for example in Figure .
Figure 1 shows a system 10 having a gas turbine 12, a motor 14, a first
compressor 16 and a second compressor 18. The shafts of these machines are
either connected to each other or a single shaft is shared by these machines.
Because of the impellers and other masses distributed along shaft 20, a rotation of
the shaft 20 may be affected by torsional oscillations produced by the rotation with
different speeds of the masses (impellers for example) attached to the shaft.
As discussed above, the torsional vibrations are typically introduced by the power
electronics that drive, for example, the motor. Figure 1 shows a power grid source
(power source) 22 providing electrical power to the LCI 24, which in turn drives the
rotor 20 of the motor 14. The power grid may be an isolated power generator. In
order to damp (minimize) the torsional vibrations, as shown in Figure 2 (which
corresponds to Figure 1 of U.S. Patent No. 7,1 73,399, assigned to the same
assignee as this application, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated here by
reference), an inverter controller 26 may be provided to an inverter 28 of the LCI
24 and may be configured to introduce an inverter delay angle change (D b) for
modulating an amount of active power transferred from inverter 28 to motor 14. It
is noted that the term "delay angle" is considered in the literature as being
synonym with the term "firing angle." For this reason, these terms are considered
in this description to mean the same thing and may be used interchangeably. This
assumption is true irrespective if alpha or beta modulation is considered.
Alternatively, a rectifier controller 30 may be provided to a rectifier 32 and may be
configured to introduce a rectifier delay angle change (Da) for modulating the
amount of active power transferred from the generator 22 to the DC-link and thus
to the motor 14. It is noted that by modulating the amount of active power
transferred from the generator to the motor it is possible to damp the torsional
vibrations.
The two controllers 26 and 30 receive as input, signals from sensors 36 and 38,
respectively, and these signals are indicative of the torque experienced by the
motor 14 and/or the generator 22. In other words, the inverter controller 26
processes the torque value sensed by sensor 36 for generating the inverter delay
angle change (D b) while the rectifier controller 30 processes the torque value
sensed by the sensor 38 for generating the rectifier delay angle change (Da) . The
inverter controller 26 and the rectifier controller 30 are independent from each
other and these controllers may be implemented together or alone in a given
machine, dependent on the operation and the system sensitivity of the connected
drive trains. Figure 2 shows that sensor 36 monitors a part (section) 40 of the
shaft of the motor 14 and sensor 38 monitors a shaft 42 of the power generator 22.
Figure 2 also shows a DC link 44 between the rectifier 32 and the inverter 28.
However, measuring mechanical properties, e.g., mechanical torque applied to a
rotational shaft, can be expensive or impractical for high power drive trains.
Sometimes, measuring the mechanical torque is not possible as the shaft is not
accessible, or the shaft is surrounded by an explosive atmosphere, such as in gas
compression applications. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide systems
and methods that avoid measuring the mechanical torque applied to the rotational
shaft.
SUMMARY
According to one exemplary embodiment, there is a torsional mode damping
controller connected to a converter that drives an electrical machine mechanically
connected to a train. The controller system includes an input interface configured
to receive measured data related to variables of the converter or the electrical
machine; and a controller connected to the input interface. The controller is
configured to calculate at least one dynamic torque component along a section of
a shaft of the train based on the data from the input interface, generate control
data for the converter for damping a torsional oscillation in the electrical machine
based on the at least one dynamic torque component, and send the control data to
the converter for modulating an active power exchanged between the converter
and the electrical machine.
According to another exemplary embodiment, there is a system for driving an
electrical machine mechanically connected to a train. The system includes a
rectifier configured to receive an alternative current from a power source and to
transform the alternative current into a direct current; a direct current link
connected to the rectifier and configured to transmit the direct current; an inverter
connected to the direct current link and configured to change a received direct
current into an alternative current; an input interface configured to receive
measured data related to electrical variables of the direct current link or the
inverter; and a controller connected to the input interface. The controller is
configured to calculate at least one dynamic torque component along a section of
a shaft of the train based on the data from the input interface, generate control
data for the rectifier and/or inverter for damping a torsional oscillation in the
electrical machine based on the at least one dynamic torque component, and send
the control data to the rectifier and/or inverter for modulating an active power
exchanged between the inverter and the electrical machine.
According to an exemplary embodiment, there is a method for damping a torsional
vibration in an electrical machine mechanically connected to a train. The method
includes a step of receiving measured data related to electrical parameters of a
converter that drives the motor; calculating at least a dynamic torque component
along a section of a shaft of the train based on the received data; a step of
generating control data for the converter for damping the torsional vibration based
on the at least one dynamic torque component; and a step of sending the control
data to the converter for modulating an active power exchanged between the
converter and the electrical machine.
According to still another exemplary embodiment, there is a computer readable
medium including computer executable instructions, where the instructions, when
executed, implement the method for damping torsional vibrations discussed in the
previous paragraph.
According to yet another exemplary embodiment, there is a torsional mode
damping controller system connected to a converter that drives an electrical
machine mechanically connected to a train. The controller system includes an
input interface configured to receive measured data related to mechanical
variables of a turbo-machinery of the train; and a controller connected to the input
interface. The controller is configured to calculate at least one dynamic torque
component along a section of a shaft of the train based on the mechanical
variables of the turbo-machinery, generate control data for the converter for
damping a torsional oscillation in the electrical machine based on the at least one
dynamic torque component, and send the control data to the converter for
modulating an active power exchanged between the converter and the electrical
machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the
specification, illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the
description, explain these embodiments. In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional gas turbine connected to an
electrical machine and two compressors;
Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a variable speed drive system connected to an
electrical motor and mechanical load, including rectifier controller and inverter
controller;
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a gas turbine, motor and load controlled by a
controller according to an exemplary embodiment;
Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a converter and associated logic according to
an exemplary embodiment;
Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a converter and associated logic according to
an exemplary embodiment;
Figure 6 is a graph illustrating a torque of a shaft with disabled damping control;
Figure 7 is a graph illustrating a torque of a shaft with enabled damping control
according to an exemplary embodiment;
Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a converter and associated logic according to
an exemplary embodiment;
Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a controller configured to control a converter for
damping torsional vibrations according to an exemplary embodiment;
Figure 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method for damping torsional vibrations
according to an exemplary embodiment;
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a voltage source inverter and associated
controller for damping torsional vibrations according to an exemplary embodiment;
and
Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a multimass system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following description of the exemplary embodiments refers to the accompanying
drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or
similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention.
Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. The following
embodiments are discussed, for simplicity, with regard to the terminology and
structure of an electrical motor driven by a load commutated inverter. However, the
embodiments to be discussed next are not limited to such a system, but may be
applied (with appropriate adjustments) to other systems that are driven with other
devices, as for example, a voltage source inverter (VSI).
Reference throughout the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment"
means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection
with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter
disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an
embodiment" in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily
referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or
characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more
embodiments.
According to an exemplary embodiment, a torsional mode damping controller may
be configured to obtain information from electrical measurements instead of a
shaft of an electrical machine (which may be a motor or a generator) and to
estimate, based on the information from the electrical measurements, torsional
vibrations at a desired shaft location of a sensitive drive train. The torsional
vibrations may be dynamic components in the torque, torsion angle, torsional
speed or a torsional acceleration of the shaft. In other words, according to this
exemplary embodiment, there are no sensors that directly monitor the dynamic
torque components on dedicated shaft locations of the sensitive drive train. As will
be discussed next, there are various locations at the converter from which the
information received by the controller can be collected.
According to an exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 3, a system 50 includes a
gas turbine 52, a motor 54, and a load 56. Other configurations involving plural
gas turbines and plural compressors as load 56 are possible. Still other
configurations may include one or more expanders, one or more power
generators, or other machines having a rotating part, e.g., wind turbines,
gearboxes. The system shown in Figure 3 is exemplary and is simplified for a
better understanding of the novel features. However, one skilled in the art would
appreciate that other systems having more or less components may be adapted to
include the novel features now discussed.
Load 56 may include one or more compressors or other machines used in the oil
and gas industry. The connection of various masses (associated with the rotors
and impellers of the machines) to a shaft 58 makes the system 50 prone to
potential torsional vibrations. These torsional vibrations may twist the shaft 58,
which may result in significant lifetime reduction or even destruction of the shaft
system (which may include not only the shaft or shafts but also couplings and
gearbox depending on the specific situation). The exemplary embodiments
provide a mechanism for reducing the torsional vibrations.
To activate the motor 54, electrical power is supplied from the power grid or a local
generator 60 in case of island or island like power systems. In order to drive the
motor 54 at a variable speed, a load commutated inverter (LCI) 62 is provided
between the grid 60 and the motor 54. As shown in Figure 4, the LCI 62 includes
a rectifier 66 connected to a DC link 68 which is connected to an inverter 70. The
rectifier 66, DC link 68, and inverter 70 are known in the art and their specific
structures are not discussed here further. As noted above, the novel features may
be applied, with appropriate changes, to VSI systems. For illustration only, an
exemplary VSI is shown and briefly discussed with regard to Figure 11. Figure 4
indicates that the current and voltage received from the grid 60 are three phase
currents and voltages, respectively. The same is true for the currents and
voltages through the rectifier, inverter and the motor and this fact is indicated in
Figure 4 by symbol 73". However, the novel features of the exemplary
embodiments are applicable to systems configured to work with more than three
phases, e.g., 6 phase and 12 phase systems.
LCI 62 also includes current and voltage sensors, denoted by a circled A and a
circled V in Figure 4 . For example, a current sensor 72 is provided in the DC link
68 to measure a current iDc Alternatively, the current in the DC link is estimated
based on measurements performed in the AC side, for example current sensors
84 or 74 as these sensors are ess expensive than DC sensors. Another example
is a current sensor 74 that measures a current iabc provided by the inverter 70 to
the motor 54 and a voltage sensor 76 that measures a voltage vabc provided by the
inverter 70 to the motor 54. It is noted that these currents and voltages are
provided as input to a controller 78. The term "controller" is used herein to
encompass any appropriate digital, analog, or combination thereof circuitry or
processing units for accomplishing the designated control function. Returning to
Figure 3 , it is noted that controller 78 may be part of the LCI 62 or may be a stand
alone controller exchanging signals with the LCI 62. The controller 78 may be a
torsional mode damping controller.
Figure 4 also shows that an LCI controller 80 generates, based on various
references 82, and a current i x received from a sensor 84, a rectifier delay angle a
for controlling the rectifier 66. Another controller 86 may be used for generating an
inverter delay angle b for the inverter 70. Further, Figure 4 shows a gate control
unit 88 for the rectifier 66 and a gate control unit 90 for the inverter 70 that directly
control the rectifier and inverter based on information received from controllers 80
and 86.
An optional sensor 92 may be located in close proximity to the shaft of the motor
54 for detecting the dynamic torque components, e.g., a torque present in the
shaft or a torsional position of the shaft or a torsional speed of the shaft or a
torsional acceleration of the shaft. Information nx regarding the dynamic torque
components may be provided to controllers 78, 80 and 86. Figure 4 also shows
summation blocks 94 and 96 that add a signal from controller 78 to signals
generated by controllers 80 and 86.
According to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 5 , the torsional mode
damping controller 78 may receive a current iab and a voltage vabc measured at an
output 9 1 of the LCI 62 or the inverter 70. Based on these values (no information
about a measured torque or speed or acceleration of the shaft of the motor), an air
gap torque for the motor is calculated and fed into a mechanical model of the
system. The mechanical model of the system may be represented by several
differential equations representing the dynamic behavior of the mechanical system
and linking the electrical parameters to the mechanical parameters of the system.
The model representation includes, for example, estimated inertia, damping and
stiffness values (which can be verified by field measurements) and allows to
calculate the dynamic behavior of the shaft, e.g., torsional oscillations. The
needed accuracy for torsional mode damping may be achieved as mainly the
accuracy of the phase of the dynamic torque component is relevant for the
torsional mode damping, and the amplitude information or absolute torque value is
less important.
In this regard, it is noted that the air gap torque of an electrical machine is the link
between the electrical and mechanical system of a drive train. All harmonics and
inter-harmonics in the electrical system are also visible in the air-gap torque. Interharmonics
at a natural frequency of the mechanical system can excite torsional
oscillations and potentially result into dynamic torque values in the mechanical
system above the rating of the shaft. Existing torsional mode damping systems
may counteract such torsional oscillations but these systems need a signal
representative of the dynamic torque of the mechanical shaft and this signal is
obtained from a sensor that effectively monitors e.g., the shaft of the motor or shaft
components of the motor, such as toothwheels mounted along the shaft of the
motor. According to exemplary embodiments, no such signal is needed as the
dynamic torque components are evaluated based on electrical measurements.
However, as will be discussed later, some exemplary embodiments describe a
situation in which available mechanical measurements at other components of the
system, for example, the gas turbine, may be used to determine the dynamic
torque components of the shaft of the motor.
In other words, an advantage according to an exemplary embodiment is applying
torsional mode damping without the need of torsional vibration sensing in the
mechanical system. Thus, torsional mode damping can be applied without having
to install additional sensing in the electrical or mechanical system as current
voltage and/or current and/or speed sensors can be made available at comparably
low cost. In this regard, it is noted that mechanical sensors for measuring torque
are expensive for high power applications, and sometimes these sensors cannot
be added to the existing systems. Thus, the existent torsional mode damping
solutions cannot be implemented for such cases as the existent torsional mode
damping systems require a sensor for measuring a signal representative of a
mechanical parameter of the system that is indicative of torque. On the contrary,
the approach of the exemplary embodiment of Figure 5 is reliable, cost effective
and allows retrofitting an existing system.
Upon receiving the current and voltage indicated in Figure 5 , controller 78 may
generate appropriate signals (one or more of Da and D b) for controlling the
rectifier delay angle a and/or the inverter delay angle b. Thus, according to the
embodiment shown in Figure 5 , the controller 78 receives the input electrical
information for calculating the various delay angles, based, for example, on the
damping principle described in Patent No. 7,1 73,399, from an output 9 1 of the
inverter 70. As illustrated in Figure 5, this exemplary embodiment is an open loop
as corrections of the various angles are not adjusted/verified based on a
measured signal (feedback) of the mechanical drive train connected to motor 54.
Further, simulations performed show a reduction of the torsional vibrations when
the controller 78 is enabled. Figure 6 shows oscillations 100 of the torque of the
shaft of the motor 54 versus time when the controller 78 is disabled and Figure 7
shows how the same oscillations are reduced when the controller 78 is enabled,
for example, at time 40s, while the mechanical drive train is operated in variable
speed operation and crossing at t = 40s a critical speed. Both figures plot a
simulated torque on the y axis versus time on the x axis.
According to another exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 8, the controller
78 may be configured to calculate one or more of the delay angles changes Da
and/or D b based on electrical quantities obtained from the DC link 68. It is noted
that although Figure 8 shows a single DC link 68, there are configurations that use
multiple DC links between the rectifiers and the inverters and one or more of these
DC links may be measured and these measurements may be provided to the
controller 78. More specifically, a current iDC may be measured at an inductor 104
of the DC link 68 and this value may be provided to controller 78. in one
application, only a single current measurement is used for feeding controller 78.
Based on the value of the measured current and the mechanical model of the
system, the controller 78 may generate the above noted delay angle changes.
According to another exemplary embodiment, the direct current i c may be
estimated based on current and/or voltage measurements performed at the
rectifier 66 or inverter 70.
The delay angle changes calculated by the controller 78 in any of the
embodiments discussed with regard to Figures 5 and 8 may be modified based on
a closed loop configuration. The closed loop configuration is illustrated by dashed
line 110 in Figure 8 that indicates that an angular speed of the shaft of the motor
54 may be determined with an appropriate sensor 112 and this value may be
provided to the controller 78. Based on this information, an accuracy of the model
may be improved with feedback from the mechanical system, e.g., by utilizing
existing high resolution speed measurements (classical observer). The quality of
the speed measurement may even be improved with an adaptive filter algorithm.
In one application, sensor 1 2 may measure another parameter of the shaft of
motor 54, e.g., a rotational angle deviation at the motor coupling.
It is noted that the above discussed embodiments may be modified such that
mechanical data instead of electrical data is measured and provided to the
controller 78. Alternatively, both mechanical and electrical data may be measured.
For these situations, the mechanical data may be measured along a shaft of the
train to which the electrical motor is connected to. The mechanical data may be
measured at the electrical motor or may be measured away from the electrical
motor, for example, at the gas turbine.
The structure of the controller 78 is discussed now with regard to Figure 9.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the controller 78 may include an input
interface 120 that is connected to one of a processor, analog circuitry,
reconfigurable FPGA card, etc. 122. Element 122 is configured to receive the
electrical parameters from the LCI 62 and calculate the delay angle changes.
Element 122 may be configured to store a mechanical model 128 and to input the
electrical measurements received at input interface 120 into the mechanical model
128 to calculate one or more of the dynamical torque components. Based on the
one or more dynamical torque components, damping control signals are generated
in damping control unit 130 and the output signal is then forwarded to a
summation block and the gate control unit. According to another exemplary
embodiment, the controller 78 may be an analog circuit, a reconfigurable FPGA
card or other dedicated circuitry for determining the delay angle changes.
In one exemplary embodiment, controller 78 continuously receives electrical
measurements from various current and voltage sensors and continuously
calculates torsional damping signals based on dynamic torque components
calculated based on the electrical measurements. According to this exemplary
embodiment, the controller does not determine whether torsional vibrations are
present in the shaft but rather continuously calculates the torsional damping
signals based on the calculated dynamic torque value. However, if there are no
torsional vibrations, the torsional damping signals generated by the controller and
sent to the inverter and/or rectifier are not affecting the inverter and/or rectifier, i.e.,
the angle changes provided by the damping signals are negligible. Thus,
according to this exemplary embodiment, the signals affect the inverter and/or
rectifier only when there are torsional vibrations.
According to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 10, there is a method
for damping a torsional vibration in a machine connected to a motor. The method
includes a step 1000 of receiving measured data related to electrical parameters
of a converter that drives the motor, a step 10 10 of calculating at least a dynamic
torque component along a shaft of the train based on the received data, a step
1020 of generating control data for the converter for damping the torsional
vibration based on the at least one dynamic torque component, and a step 1030 of
sending the control data to the converter for modulating an active power
exchanged between the converter and the electrical machine. It is noted that the
expression modulating an active power is applicable even when a mean power
over a time period is zero, i.e., there is at least an instant during the time period
when the active power is modulated.
According to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 11, a VSI 140
includes a rectifier 142, a DC link 144, and an inverter 146 connected to each
other in this order. The rectifier 142 receives a grid voltage from a power source
148 and may include, for example, a diode bridge or an active front-end based on
self-commutated semiconductor devices. The dc voltage provided by the rectifier
142 is filtered and smoothed by capacitor C in the DC link 144. The filtered dc
voltage is then applied to the inverter 146, which may include self-commutated
semiconductor devices, e.g., Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBT), that
generate an ac voltage to be applied to motor 150. Controllers 152 and 154 may
be provided for rectifier 142 and inverter 146, in addition to the rectifier and
inverter controllers or integrated with the rectifier and inverter controllers, to damp
torsional vibrations on the shaft of the motor 150. The rectifier controller 153 and
inverter controller 155 are shown connected to some of the semiconductor devices
but it should be understood that all the semiconductor devices may be connected
to the controllers. Controllers 152 and 154 may be provided together or alone and
they are configured to determine dynamic torque components based on electrical
measurements as discussed with regard to Figures 4 and 5 and influence control
references of the build-in rectifier and inverter control, e.g., the torque or currentcontrol
reference.
According to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 12, a generalized
multimass system 160 may include "n" different masses having corresponding
moments of inertia J to J n . For example, the first mass may correspond to a gas
turbine, the second mass may correspond to a compressor, and so on while the
last mass may correspond to an electrical motor. Suppose that the shaft of the
electrical motor is not accessible for mechanical measurements, e.g., rotational
position, speed, acceleration or torque. Further, suppose that the shaft of the gas
turbine is accessible and one of the above noted mechanical parameters may be
directly measured at the gas turbine. In this regard, it is noted that generally a gas
turbine has high accuracy sensors that measure various mechanical variables of
the shaft for protecting the gas turbine from possible damages. On the contrary, a
conventional motor does not have these sensors or even if some sensors are
present, the accuracy of their measurements is poor.
The differential equation of the whole mechanical system is given by:
J(d6 2/dt 2) + D(d9/dt) + KQ = Tex ,
where J (torsional matrix), D (damping matrix), and K (torsional stiffness matrix)
are matrices connecting the characteristics of the first mass (for example, d 0 , d12 ,
k-i2, J i ) to the characteristics of the other masses and Te is an external (net)
torque applied to the system, e.g., by a motor. Based on this model of the
mechanical system, a torque or other dynamic torque component of the "n" mass
may be determined if characteristics of, for example, the first mass are known. In
other words, the high accuracy sensors provided in the gas turbine may be used to
measure at least one of a torsional position, speed, acceleration or torque of the
shaft of the gas turbine. Based on this measured value, a dynamic torque
component of the motor ("n" mass) or another section of the drive train may be
calculated by a processor or controller 78 of the system and thus, control data may
be generated for the inverter or rectifier as already discussed above.
In other words, according to this exemplary embodiment, the controller 78 needs
to receive mechanical related information from one turbo-machinery that is
connected to the motor and based on this mechanical related information the
controller is able to control the converter to generate a torque in the motor to damp
the torsional vibration. The turbo-machinery may be not only a gas turbine but
also a compressor, an expander or other known machines. In one application, no
electrical measurements are necessary for performing the damping. However, the
electrical measurements may be combined with mechanical measurements for
achieving the damping. In one application, the machine that applies the damping
(damping machine) is not accessible for mechanical measurements and the
dynamic torque component of the damping machine is calculated by mechanical
measurements performed on another machine that is mechanically connected to
the damping machine.
The disclosed exemplary embodiments provide a system and a method for
damping torsional vibrations. It should be understood that this description is not
intended to limit the invention. On the contrary, the exemplary embodiments are
intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which are included
in the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Further, in the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments, numerous
specific details are set forth in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of
the claimed invention. However, one skilled in the art would understand that
various embodiments may be practiced without such specific details.
Although the features and elements of the present exemplary embodiments are
described in the embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element
can be used alone without the other features and elements of the embodiments or in
various combinations with or without other features and elements disclosed herein.
This written description uses examples of the subject matter disclosed to enable any
person skilled in the art to practice the same, including making and using any
devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable
scope of the subject matter is defined by the claims, and may include other examples
that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within
the scope of the claims.

CLAIMS:
1. A torsional mode damping controller system connected to a converter that
drives an electrical machine mechanically connected to a train, the controller
system comprising:
an input interface configured to receive measured data related to variables of the
converter or the electrical machine; and
a controller connected to the input interface and configured to,
calculate at least one dynamic torque component along a section of a shaft of the
train based on the data from the input interface,
generate control data for the converter for damping a torsional oscillation in the
mechanical drive train based on the at least one dynamic torque component, and
send the control data to the converter for modulating an active power exchanged
between the converter and the electrical machine.
2 . The controller system of Claim 1, wherein the generated control data is
configured to modify a rectifier delay angle of a rectifier that is part of the
converter.
3 . The controller system of Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the generated control data
is configured to modify an inverter delay angle of an inverter that is part of the
converter.
4 . The controller system of any preceding Claim, wherein the received data is
indicative of a current and a voltage provided by the converter to the electrical
machine.
5 . The controller system of any preceding Claim, wherein the received data is
indicative of a direct current (DC) link current between a rectifier and an inverter of
the converter.
6. The controller system of any preceding Claim, wherein the received data is
indicative of an angular position, speed, acceleration or torque of the electrical
machine and the generated control data is configured to modify an inverter delay
angle of an inverter or a rectifier delay angle of a rectifier that is part of the
converter.
7. The controller system of any preceding Claim, wherein the controller is further
configured to:
receive feedback data indicative of an angular position, speed, acceleration or
torque of the electrical machine; and
determine the control data for the converter for damping the torsional oscillation
based on the received data indicative of electrical variables of the converter and
the feeback data indicative of the angular position, speed, acceleration or torque of
the mechanical drive train.
8. A system for driving an electrical machine mechanically connected to a train,
the system comprising:
a rectifier configured to receive an alternative current from a power source and to
transform the alternative current into a direct current;
a direct current link connected to the rectifier and configured to transmit the direct
current;
an inverter connected to the direct current link and configured to change a
received direct current into an alternative current;
an input interface configured to receive measured data related to electrical
variables of the direct current link or the inverter; and
a controller connected to the input interface and configured to,
calculate at least one dynamic torque component along a section of a shaft of the
drive train based on the data from the input interface,
generate control data for the rectifier and/or inverter for damping a torsional
oscillation in the mechanical drive train based on the at least one dynamic torque
component, and
send the control data to the rectifier and/or inverter for modulating an active power
exchanged between the inverter and the electrical machine.
9 . A method for damping a torsional vibration in an electrical machine
mechanically connected to a drive train, the method comprising:
receiving measured data related to electrical variables of a converter that drives
the motor;
calculating at least a dynamic torque component along a section of a shaft of the
train based on the received data;
generating control data for the converter for damping the torsional vibration based
on the at least one dynamic torque component; and
sending the control data to the converter for modulating an active power
exchanged between the converter and the electrical machine.
10. A torsional mode damping controller system connected to a converter that
drives an electrical machine mechanically connected to a train, the controller
system comprising:
an input interface configured to receive measured data related to mechanical
variables of a turbo-machinery of the train; and
a controller connected to the input interface and configured to,
calculate at least one dynamic torque component along a section of a shaft of the
train based on the mechanical variables of the turbo-machinery,
generate control data for the converter for damping a torsional oscillation in the
mechanical drive train based on the at least one dynamic torque component, and
send the control data to the converter for modulating an active power exchanged
between the converter and the electrical machine.