10 - The switched reluctance generator

Abstract

This chapter discusses the use of switched reluctance machine as a generator. The generating capability of the switched reluctance machine is less widely known than the motoring capability, and there is more design freedom arising from the absence of self-starting requirements. As a “fault-tolerant” system it has considerable appeal, and this aspect is investigated in the chapter. The switched reluctance machine can operate as a generator and as a motor by simply changing the firing angles. The switched reluctance machine has been studied for generator applications especially where robustness, high speed, and fault tolerance are important. The objective of the generator control is normally to keep the DC-bus voltage at a desired value with the maximum efficiency. Little has been reported on the design of the switched reluctance generator controller. One way to achieve maximum energy conversion with the switched reluctance generator system is to regulate the DC-bus voltage with the rotor speed. The drawback of the scheme is the necessity of an extra voltage regulator or DC/DC converter between the system and a constant voltage load.