diode rectifier having inductive load....pls pls help

[vaisakh]

consider a series circuit consisting of a sinusoidal ac source a diode and an inductor....usually in inductive circuits I lags V by 90'......but with a diode in series to inductor the current wave form gets clamped ie circuit behaves as if a virtual dc current source exists.....wat is the physical reason....if found confusing pls refer a power electronics text for a diode rectifier with inductive load and kindly explain the current waveform.....i need physical explanation

 

[BradtheRad]

Positive half of the cycle:

The diode conducts. Current energizes the coil and creates a magnetic flux field.

Negative half of the cycle:

The diode blocks negative voltage. The flux collapses and generates its own current, in positive direction through the diode briefly, counter to negative voltage.

In terms of concept, your circuit resembles a half-wave power supply with choke filtering.

This assumes you installed a load to complete the circuit.