Detailed design of a 30-kW switched reluctance starter/generatorsystem for a gas turbine engine application

A new switched reluctance starter/generator (SR S/G) system has been developed for an aircraft engine application. The system is rated at 30 kW, 270 Vdc, 52 k r/min maximum operating speed. The system also provides 17 hp to start the 1400-hp engine. The system consists of an SR machine directly coupled to the gas turbine engine, an inverter converter unit (ICU), and an electronic controller. The system is designed to meet requirements such as power quality per MIL-STD-704E, 30% (9 kW) step loads, 75% constant power loads, operation over a wide speed range, and a -51°C to +125°C environment. This paper focuses on the design and implementation of the system. The SR S/G system is currently undergoing design assurance tests. Test results are given to validate the system design and performance. System efficiency is about 80% when generating 30 kW