Calculation of a Current Vector Trajectory for Enhanced Operation of Synchronous Reluctance Generators Including Saturation

This article proposes a simple method to calculate a current vector trajectory for the enhanced operation of the electric power generation system based on a synchronous reluctance machine (SynRM). Owing to magnetic saturation and cross magnetization, the performance and the torque capability of a SynRM vary according to the position and the value of the stator current. State-of-the-art control methods usually assume parameters with constant values, especially the inductance, neglecting saturation, leading to possible uncertainty in the machine operation. Therefore, a current vector trajectory to operate this type of machine, as a generator, in an extended speed range, with enhanced performance and considering magnetic saturation is proposed. A straightforward algorithm based on the inductance characteristic of the machine is used to calculate the trajectory of the stator current vector. This trajectory is evaluated via the numerical simulation of an experimentally validated finite-element model of a SynRM. The results show that the proposed current vector trajectory can improve the torque capability to 5% concerning the estimated trajectory without considering saturation. Experimental results are also provided to demonstrate the enhanced operation of the generator.

Automated summary

This article proposes a simple method to calculate a current vector trajectory for the enhanced operation of a synchronous reluctance machine (SynRM) in an electric power generation system. It takes into account the magnetic saturation and cross magnetization effects, which affect the performance and torque capability of the machine. The proposed trajectory, based on the machine’s inductance characteristic, is shown to improve the torque capability by 5% compared to not considering saturation, as demonstrated through numerical simulations and experimental results.