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Using switched mode regulators

PostPosted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 7:42 pm
by justLV
Has anyone considered using switched mode regulators instead of a shunt regulator topology for regulating the voltage? Advantages would involve the ability to step up voltage, or step-down voltage without the need for power dissipation. When bucking (reducing voltage) this would also limit the average current in the stator, resulting in less stator heating. Otherwise I'm not sure if there are any other advantages - as I suppose wind energy is free...

Re: Using switched mode regulators

PostPosted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 9:11 pm
by windgat
Sounds like a great idea... if I understand what you are saying, that is.

It would be great to even have a device with a dial that you could use to set the input voltage, i.e. the voltage at which current is drawn from the generator. The output voltage would then stay at about say 28V (on a 24V system), although it would drift lower as current is drawn.

Re: Using switched mode regulators

PostPosted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 10:06 pm
by justLV
You could setup the DC-DC converter in feedback mode, so that if the generated voltage varies, the duty cycle can be changed, so that a constant output voltage is achieved. You may still have to add a shunt regulator on the generator side, to prevent the turbine spinning too fast.

(As a general explanation, DC-DC converters use pulse width modulation i.e. switching between on and off states at a a duty cycle, to vary the average voltage supplied. See http://www.maxim-ic.com/appnotes.cfm/appnote_number/2031 for a good explanation)

Re: Using switched mode regulators

PostPosted: Mon Sep 07, 2009 12:23 am
by windgat
How efficient is such a circuit? Could you design one?