Simulation and experimental verification of input/output currents in a stand-alone switched reluctance generator for different speeds

This paper briefly discusses energy conversion by a switched reluctance generator (SRG) when bifilar converter circuit and discrete position sensors are employed. As the generator´s speed increases by a prime mover the shape of current waveform changes in such a way that limits the production of generating voltage. At high speeds, it is possible for the phase current never reaches the desired value to produce enough back-EMF for sufficient voltage generation, therefore, the output power falls off. This paper presents the evaluation of the generator performance feeding a resistive load under different speeds. Two types of analysis, namely numerical technique and experimental studies have been utilized on a 6 by 4, 24 V, SRG. In the numerical analysis, due to highly nonlinear nature of the motor, a three dimensional finite element analysis is employed, whereas in the experimental study, a proto-type generator has been built and tested using bifilar converter. A linear analysis of the current waveform for the generator under different advancements of the turn on angle has been performed numerically and experimentally and the results are presented.