A modified C-dump converter for variable-reluctance machines

A new type of converter for variable-reluctance-machine (VRM) drives is described. In this converter topology, the energy extracted from an ongoing phase is stored in a dump capacitor. The energy stored is consequently used either to quickly turn on the next ongoing phase or to energize the conducting phase frequently during the conduction interval instead of being returned to the supply as for a conventional C-dump circuit. Since, the additional switch used to pass the energy to the C-dump capacitor is switched under a relatively-low-voltage condition and its switching frequency is relatively low, the rating of the additional switch is modest. The major advantage os this converter is that it uses a low-switching device/phase ratio while achieving better performance characteristics than the other topologies