Exciterless Wound-Field Medium-Power Synchronous Machines: Their History and Future

Abstract

The excitation system of the wound field synchronous machine has remained largely unchanged over the past 50 years. Nonetheless there has been significant research into exciterless solutions which, through integration of the excitation system with the main machine, aim to offer improved power density, simplified manufacture, and better cooling opportunities. This work presents the history of exciterless solutions for wound-field synchronous machines focusing on the challenges for medium power generators. The very latest innovations are discussed, signposting the future for the exciterless machine along with new challenges and opportunities for engineers.

Analysis of DC Winding Induced Voltage in Wound-Rotor Synchronous Machines by Using the Air-Gap Field Modulation Principle

“…The recently emerging wireless power transmission (WPT) WRSMs have become a promising solution without changing the main flux path and adding auxiliary winding or control complexity [9,17,18]. Although there are still challenges to be overcome, the WPT technique has provided a considerable solution for brushless operation in WRSMs [19].…”