Utilizing existing aircraft wound field generators for starter-generators

This paper proposes an alternative method for starting an aerospace gas turbine, temporarily driving its existing low inductance wound-field generator as a starter-motor using back-to-back connected, diode clamped inverters. This approach will result in a net weight saving as the existing pneumatic starter is now not required. A prototype converter is constructed and tested upon an aerospace generator, using a dynamometer to reproduce the turbines torque-speed characteristics.