Experimental Analysis of a Six Phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator in a Variable Speed Constant Frequency Generating System

An alternative topology for a synchronous generator is proposed; using a novel six phase permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) and a naturally commutated matrix converter (NCMC). The system composed by these two elements (PMSG + MC) is being used as the power source in variable speed constant frequency Generating systems (VSCF). This kind of generator is used in the aim of avoiding a mechanical gear-box and to obtain a gas turbine optimal efficiency. Matrix converters provide an all-silicon solution to the problem of converting AC power from one frequency to another, offering almost all the features required of an ideal static frequency changer. Behavior of the resulting system (PMSG + NCMC) is studied by simulation and analyzed by experimentation. With the progress of high speed, lower cost digital signal processing (DSP) there has been a blossoming use of DSP techniques especially in power converters control. A method for simulating this system and a comparison with laboratory tests results are given in this paper.