Characteristics Testing and Torque Control of Aero-Engine Shaft-Line-Embedded Switched Reluctance Starter/Generator

This paper introduces the basic concepts and advantages of more electric aircraft (MEA), with a specific focus on the shaft-line-embedded starter/generator (ESG) as a crucial technology for enhancing aircraft electrification and fuel efficiency. Switched reluctance machines (SRMs) are known for their strong performance at high temperatures and high speeds. This is due to the absence of permanent magnets in both the stator and rotor, as well as the centralized stator windings that offer strong fault-tolerant capabilities. Consequently, SRMs possess significant potential in ESG systems. To explore their potential for high-temperature operations and investigate their characteristics, this paper designed a switched reluctance starter/generator (SRS/G) capable of withstanding high temperatures. The performance of the machine was evaluated at different temperature levels, with the aim of applying it to aero-engine starter/generator systems that exceed 350 $^{\circ }$C. Additionally, the direct instantaneous torque control (DITC) method is used to reduce torque ripple in motoring condition. The test results indicate that, under the same condition, an increased temperature is beneficial for reducing torque ripple slightly, while the efficiency decreases by an average of 5%$\sim$8% compared to room temperature.