Control and maximum power extraction of a switched reluctance generator with low resolution pulse-based position estimation

Abstract

This paper presents a control approach for switched reluctance generators (SRGs), based on single-pulse-per-revolution position sensors (e.g., Hall-effect sensors or single pulse encoders, as opposed to high-resolution encoders). The framework comprises a multi-level control architecture, based on the assumption of a single-pulse SRG control mode, which adjusts the generator firing angles to pursue control of the average speed (measured once per cycle) and maximization of the power yield via an extremum seeking approach.

To consistently formulate the control law in terms of the cyclic average speed, we use a recasting of the SRG dynamic equations via the hybrid dynamical formalism. We then assess the performance of the proposed control scheme in simulation, using a traditional four-phase 8/6 SRG as a target for the investigation. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control approach, even in complex scenarios in which the SRG is coupled with a small-scale wind turbine operating in realistic wind conditions.