Matias Urrutia is the Senior Power Electronics Engineer at Sprint Electric. After earning his Masters degree in his homeland of Chile, he finished a dual PhD between the University of Chile and the University of Nottingham. Matias now plays a key role in the development of the breakthrough technology in the regenerative AC drive, Generis.
Matias comments: “It is a real privilege to work on Generis. My focus is on control of the drive and implementing improvements. I look for ways to improve the controller, using our experimental test rig that provides insights into the performance and allows us to report the final results back to the team. I have also been developing an intelligent and unique system to enhance the modulation scheme of Generis.
“I work alongside Vivek Khistariya, our Senior Test and Validation Engineer, to test the drive and push it to its limits. We work together at the Power Electronics Machine and Controls (PEMC) Group at the Jubilee campus. It is the ideal location to develop the AC drive switching technology for Generis. Vivek and I test its capabilities to ensure a consistent performance.
“My academic background compliments Vivek’s practical experience in electrical engineering. My work spans across the different aspects of the drive, including the software and the algorithm, as well as the hardware. With the team, we test the unit to find any problem or any boundary with its delivery. Afterwards, we study the issue, find a solution, and implement it. The research and development behind a new product like Generis is extensive.
“Manufacturers will appreciate the high-performance motor control, and its energy regeneration capabilities; both are very attractive for the AC market. The drive is incredibly convenient because of its size and power in comparison with other regenerative AC drives on the market. The four-quadrant control removes the need for active front end drives or braking resistors, which simplifies the hardware structure.
“The single stage power conversion and unique patented switch technology creates a unique proposition for manufacturers. Removing the DC link in an AC drive improves drive efficiency. The ultra-low harmonics make Generis especially attractive for industries such as print, packaging, pressing and converting; applications that demand reliability with good power quality.
“My background is in electrical and electronics engineering. I earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and then received a master’s degree in science and electrical engineering. I obtained both degrees at Federico Santa Maria, a well-known university for electrical engineering in Chile. I then studied for my PhD at the University of Chile in Santiago and finished the degree at the University of Nottingham due to an agreement between the organisations.
“It has been an incredible journey, and I have learnt so much working with the team. It is very exciting to be working on such innovative technology with the knowledgeable team at Sprint Electric,” said Matias.
You can find out more about the advanced motor control of Generis by contacting our team here.
