Hybrid-excited flux-switching machine for DC alternator applications. New design for fault short-circuit current limitation

This paper presents a study of a synchronous three-phase hybrid-excited flux-switching machine that has been designed to work as a DC alternator using a diode bridge rectifier with a nominal power of 3 kW. This machine uses a field winding associated with permanent magnets to control the flux-linkage. After presenting its structure, the electromagnetic performances of the machine are simulated using a 2D transient finite element model. The results have shown that this machine can have a very limited short-circuit current in case of fault and that the generated power can be easily controlled with the field winding. These characteristics, together with a simple and robust rotor, make this machine very interesting for high speed embedded applications.