Standstill micromachine for turbogenerator parameter studies

A micromachine is described for use in studies of standstill (particularly frequency-response) test methods for obtaining the transient impedance parameters of a tubogenerator. The severe design compromises associated with dynamic micromachines are completely avoided, rotor induced-current field and magnetic nonlinearity being correctly scaled. Advantages for the micromachine are listed and a detailed specification provided. First tests, in open-circuit field configuration, have shown the effect of surface contact resistance of aluminium wedges to be very pronounced, as is coming to be recognised in turbogenerator studies. Tests with wedges removed are compared with field computations, and with new data (obtained from installed probes) on the measured effectiveness of inducedcurrent paths in wedges and teeth. Standstill frequency-response measurements are possible in the micromachine up to 20% current, contrasting with 0.5% in a turbogenerator. Measurements of operational inductance and transfer function, over a full frequency range, thus show for the first time the changes that occur as excitation increases above the low-B range of magnetic nonlinearity. It becomes clear that the standard procedure for adjusting only the mutual branches of the d- and q-axis equivalent circuits, to allow for this nonlinearity, is inadequate.