System and method for DC power generation from a reluctance machine

A system for reluctance power production comprising:

• a salient-pole synchronous machine;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• monitor a main field flux in a salient-pole synchronous machine to detect a loss of excitation power;
• monitor a prime mover engaged with said salient-pole synchronous machine to detect machine rotor rotation;
• and
• control a power converter using at least one of a measured DC link voltage and a measured DC load current to generate reluctance DC power from said salient-pole synchronous machine when there is a loss of excitation power and machine rotor rotation is detected.

A start-up system for an aircraft engine comprising a synchronous reluctance machine that is also used for power generation on the aircraft;

• wherein the synchronous reluctance machine comprises:
• a power converter;
• and
• a synchronous reluctance machine for use with a prime mover, wherein said synchronous reluctance machine is electrically coupled with said power converter and driven by said prime mover for generating reluctance DC power by reason of different magnetic reluctance between direct and quadrature axes of said driven synchronous reluctance machine and the control of said power converter.

A start-up system for an aircraft engine comprising a salient-pole synchronous machine that is also used for power generation on the aircraft;

• wherein the salient-pole synchronous machine comprises:
• a controller configured to:
• monitor a main field flux in said salient-pole synchronous machine to detect a loss of excitation power;
• monitor said prime mover engaged with said salient-pole synchronous machine to detect machine rotor rotation;
• and
• control said power converter using at least one of a measured DC link voltage and a measured DC load current to generate reluctance DC power from said salient-pole synchronous machine when there is a loss of excitation power and machine rotor rotation is detected.