Real-time simulator for high speed synchronous generator

2017 ELE Engineering Design Project (DX05)

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Faculty Lab Coordinator

David Xu

Topic Category

Power / Controls

Preamble

The high synchronous generators are widely used in aerospace industry as the main power supplies to power the electric load on board. Variable frequency constant voltage are achieved by controlling the excitation current of the generator when the shaft speed changes. The electronic control unit(ECU) measures and maintains the amplitude of the voltage. The real generator with turbines are very expensive for testing purpose. The real-time simulator or hardware based simulation with power amplifier will help to test the electric load with the same performance of the real generator.

Objective

The objective of this project is to build a real-time algorithm for the power amplifier, which can simulate the high frequency synchronous generator in aerospace. The ECU will be built in the simulator to control the output voltage when the synchronous frequency changes. The performance of the simulator should match the real generator.

Partial Specifications

The specifications of the system are:
1) 9kW power amplifier controlled by the micro-controller.
2) A real-time model is built in the micro-controller to simulate the output of the generator.
3) Voltage and current should be measured by the micro-controller to track the simulated output voltage of the generator

Suggested Approach

The real-time simulator has a real-time model built into the micro-controller, which calculate the output voltage of the generator. The voltage signal is then fed into the power amplifier. The amplifier will track the voltage signal and generate power output. The output currents are measured and fed into the model. The group should investigate the power amplifier as well as the generator simulation model.

Group Responsibilities

The group is responsible for project management, project demo and project reports.

Student A Responsibilities

Student A is responsible for the real-time simulation model and micro-controller. Student A should develop the simulator algorithm and code the algorithm into the micro-controller

Student B Responsibilities

Student B should design the micro-controller with measurement system for the output of the amplifier. The signals should be fed into the micro-controller.

Student C Responsibilities

Student C should develop a human interface for accepting the generator parameters as well as other inputs.

Course Co-requisites

ELE637, ELE654