Electromagnetic Performance Analysis of a Multichannel Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator

In this paper, we present an analysis of the properties of the prototype three-phase Multichannel Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (MCPMSG) prototype designed and constructed by the authors. Each channel of the generator has electrically separated windings, which allows us to create an island system of electricity generation. The analyzed MCPMSG is intended for critical applications, and it is designed for four-channel operation. The purpose of this work is to analyze various configurations of the generator channels to improve the redundancy of the electricity generation system. The MCPMSG operation with one or two independent sources of energy consumption in the case of a dual-channel or double dual-channel operation was investigated. For the analyzed cases, the original mathematical models of the three-phase MCPMSG were developed. On the basis of numerical and laboratory tests, the influence of individual configurations on the MCPMSG output parameters was determined. An original method for diagnosing the operation of the MCPMSG channels was developed. Numerical and laboratory tests of the proposed diagnostic method based on a single voltage signal were carried out. As part of the laboratory tests, selected operating states under conditions of full winding symmetry and internal asymmetry were analyzed. The advantage of the proposed diagnostic method is the control of the operating state of the channels both under load and in the de-energized state. The proposed diagnostic method for control of the individual channel requires measurement of only one voltage signal.