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Torque modes (CST, T)

Torque mode is used to command the torque that the actuator applies. It requires a proper configuration of the commutation sensor.

The commutation sensor configuration process is described in the Commutation section.

If software position limits are enabled using this mode of operation, the drive will generate a fault if the position limits are exceeded. Set them to 0 to disable this functionality.

If actuator velocity overcomes the max. velocity parameter using this mode of operation, the drive will generate a fault. See Error Management section for more information.

Torque loop availability depends on the product and firmware version.

With torque loop

Control scheme

The implemented PI module follows the next block diagram:

The output of the control loop at the kth sample is:

Where:

  • is the output before entering in the saturator, in [A].
  • The output after the saturator is limited to the values Umax and Umin, so if the output signal is outside these parameters, the output is clamped.
  • Command  is the Command signal (Output of the Reference + Filters + offset), in [Nm].
  • Feedback  is the Filtered Feedback signal (Output of the Feedback + Filters), in [Nm].
  • Kp & Ki are the PI gains. Kp in [A/Nm] and Ki in [Hz].
    Ki_internal is non-dimensional.
  • xp is the proportional path:
  • xi is the integral path:

    where x1 is:


The output of the torque controller is connected to the current quadrature command (before the filters and offset) of the current control. The current direct command is set to 0 A.

All torque modes work with a PI controller and its parameters are:

  • Torque loop Kp (Kp).
  • Torque loop Ki (Ki).
  • Torque loop max. output (Umax).
  • Torque loop min. output (Umin).
  • Torque demand is the reference input of the PI.
  • Torque loop control command is the command value after offset is applied (Command signal from the diagram).
  • Torque control loop error is the difference between the reference and feedback values in the control loop (Control loop error signal from the diagram).
  • Actual Torque is the torque value read by the feedback.
  • Torque set-point is the target commanded to the torque modes of operation.

On the other hand, the implemented controller supports additional features:

  • Torque feedback enabled allows opening the loop of the PI. It is configured with register control loop feedback options. The feedback path is removed from the real feedback signal and it forces a value of 0.
  • Position & velocity loop rate contains also the update rate of execution of the torque PI.

Torque Offset

In some applications, the PI is not enough for proper control. In these cases, there is an additional input through the reference signal to the PI that is identified as Offset in the diagram. The purpose of this torque loop input offset is to be used by an external master to compensate for the system dynamics based on information that cannot be read directly by the drive.

Torque feedbacks

Current implementation limitations

Currently, the only torque feedback available is a torque estimator based on the read quadrature current.

  • Torque estimator based on read quadrature current.
    Related registers:
    • Torque constant: Conversion factor for the torque estimator to read torque from quadrature current values.

In the current implementation, Torque feedback enabled is set to disabled, so the torque constant is only for visualization and does not affect to the loop.

Torque loop Kp acts as the torque constant, is set to 1.0 by default so the torque loop has no effect in the other modes of operation.

Torque loop Ki has to be 0.0 so it has no effect.

Torque mode (T)

Torque (T) mode uses the above control scheme, connecting the torque set-point input from the application directly to the Torque demand signal mentioned above.

Note

Set-points will begin being taken into account after transitioning to the "operation enabled" state on the drive.

Cyclic Synchronous Torque (CST)

Cyclic Synchronous Torque mode (CST) uses the above control scheme as well but connects the torque demand to the linear profile of the set-point manager.

Note

The linear profile starts immediately upon a change of torque set-point.

Warning

It is mandatory to configure the interpolation time mantissa and interpolation time exponent. The value of these parameters will determine how the linear profile will be performed. The product of these two parameters should match the time that will take to update the current quadrature set-point. More information about the linear profile can be found in the Set-point manager and interpolator buffer section.

Command sources

Summit series devices allow different command sources for the different references of each control loop. In the torque operation mode, the command sources are the following.

Analog inputs command source availability depends on the product.

Command source 1

Command source 1 provides a reference to the torque control loop. Three different command sources can be selected

  • Network. When command source is selected to "Network", the demand value of the loop is used as reference
  • Analog input 1. When command source is selected to "Analog input 1", the device uses the analog input 1 readings as reference. Profilers are not functional with this command source.
  • Analog input 2. When command source is selected to "Analog input 2", the device uses the analog input 2 readings as reference. Profilers are not functional with this command source.


Note

The device's analog inputs must be configured before using the Analog input command source. The configuration allows setting a Gain and offset to match the analog input range to the units of the operation mode being used.

Without torque loop (legacy)

Control scheme

Torque estimation is based on current measurements. Velocity control loop is directly connected to current control loop. Therefore the current control scheme is the same as the used on Current modes. A current limit block is available to protect the system in front of high commanded currents or the excessive amount of energy accumulated (I2T). 

This mode of operation connects current direct set-point and current quadrature set-point inputs to the interpolator from the set-point manager. The interpolator will begin to generate current direct demand and current quadrature demand after a change in any of the previous signals.

The Cyclic Synchronous Torque mode is obtained keeping current direct set-point to 0 A and using current quadrature set-point as a single set-point. From the user point of view the involved registers are:

  • Torque constant defines the relationship of the magnitude current quadrature (A) and torque (N).
  • Target torque is linked to the current quadrature set-point. The units are thousands of rated torque.
  • Torque actual value is the representation of current quadrature value in thousands of rated torque units.
  • Torque offset value is linked to the current quadrature loop input offset. The units are thousands of rated torque.

The PI parameters involved are the same as the used in current modes based on direct and quadrature components.

Cyclic Synchronous Torque (CST) mode

Note

The linear profile starts immediately upon a change of torque set-point.

Warning

It is mandatory to configure the interpolation time mantissa and interpolation time exponent. The value of these parameters will determine how the linear profile will be performed. The product of these two parameters should match the time that will take to update the current quadrature set-point. More information about the linear profile can be found in the Set-point manager and interpolator buffer section.

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