Fault signature of a flux-switching DC-field generator

Flux-switching DC-field (FSDC) machine has the merits of low-cost and flux control ability. Furthermore, this type of machine also possesses the advantage of fault-tolerant capability. However, a few studies have been done on the analyses of fault signatures of this type of machine even though it has two sets of windings. This paper investigates the fault signatures of a magnetless FSDC generator under armature winding faults . It focuses on the study of short circuit faults and open circuit faults . The prototyped machine is operated with 10% to 50% turn shorts in one of phase windings . Open circuit fault is tested in one of the phases . The rectified generator output current and torque are utilized as the fault indicators . Both simulation and experiment results are studied for the verification .