Experimental performance assessent of multiphase alternators supplying multiple AC/DC power converters

DC distribution networks are often employed in isolated power systems like in marine and aeronautical applications. An interesting alternative to DC machines for the supply of DC grids is constituted by a three-phase alternator feeding an AC/DC rectifier. This paper illustrates the advantages of adopting a multi-phase design variant of such generation system, based on a split-phase alternator supplying multiple (N) series-connected rectifiers. A prototype generator with reconfigurable stator winding is employed for this purpose, so as to comparatively assess the system performance when a different number of phases and output rectifiers is used.