Microalternator Stabilization Using a Physically Realizable Optimal Output Feedback Controller

Experimental results obtained from the application of optimal control techniques to a microalternator system are presented. A method is formulated to design an easily implementable linear optimal feedback control scheme which directly utilizes the measured outputs of the system. Controllers derived on the basis of a microalternator mathematical model are initially assessed for their effectiveness on this model. Further extensive evaluation is carried out, experimentally, on the microalternator for a wide range of conditions including close-up three-phase faults. The experimental results, supported by the digital simulation, show that the control scheme is very effective in practice in improving the system performance for small and large disturbances over a wide range of operating points.