Direct current voltage regulation of a six-phase permanent magnet generator

An aircraft power generation unit to generate direct current (DC) power provided to a load, the unit comprising:

• a six-phase permanent magnet generator (PMG) that includes first and second sets of windings, each of the first and second sets including three windings;
• a rectifier section that converts alternating current (AC) voltage produced by the six-phase PMG into a DC output, the rectifier section comprising:
• a first six-pulse rectifier connected to the first set of windings and having a first rectifier positive output and a first rectifier return output;
• and
• a second six-pulse rectifier connected to the second set of windings and having a second rectifier positive output and a second rectifier return output, wherein the first rectifier return output is connected to the second rectifier positive output;
• an output bus configured to be connected to the load and including a positive rail and a negative rail connected to the second rectifier return output;
• an output voltage regulation section that provides an output voltage to the output bus and that is coupled between the first rectifier positive output and the second rectifier positive output, the output voltage regulation section selectively coupling the first rectifier positive output or the second rectifier positive output to the positive rail of the output bus;
• and
• a controller that provides a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to the output voltage regulation section to vary the output voltage provided to the output bus to provide a constant voltage to the load.