SWITCHED RELUCTANCE STARTER/GENERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM ALLOWING OPERATION WITH REGENERATIVE LOADS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM EMPLOYING SAME

摘要

An electric power generating system comprises a switched reluctance machine (10), an inverter (18) having a dc input/output coupled to a dc bus (24), switches responsive to switching control signals for coupling each of the machine's phase windings to the dc bus (24). A controller (22) having a number of control inputs and outputs coupled to the inverter (18) monitors the current flowing in the phase windings and voltage level on the dc bus (24) and calculates a maximum and a minimum phase current control signal. The controller (22) modulates the switching control signals to regulate the phase current within a range defined by these control signals to maintain the voltage level at a desired level. Upon calculating a positive phase current control signal, the controller (22) generates switching control signals to enable switches at a fixed angle prior to alignment, and generates switching control signals to disable the switches at a fixed angle after alignment. In this way, the machine generates sufficient electric power to maintain the voltage level at the desired level. Upon calculating a negative phase current control signal, the controller (22) generates switching control signals to enable the switches at a fixed angle prior to alignment, and generates switching control signals to disable one switch at a fixed angle prior to alignment. In this way, the machine (10) dissipates sufficient electric power to maintain the voltage at the desired level.