A novel topology of high-speed SRM for high-performance traction applications

A novel topology of high-speed Switched Reluctance Machine (SRM) for high-performance traction applications is presented in this article. The target application, a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) in the sport segment poses very demanding specifications on the power and torque density of the electric traction machine. After evaluating multiple alternatives, the topology proposed is a 2-phase axial flux machine featuring both segmented twin rotors and a segmented stator core. Electromagnetic, thermal and mechanical models of the proposed topology are developed and subsequently integrated in an overall optimisation algorithm in order to find the optimal geometry for the application. Special focus is laid on the thermal management of the machine, due to the tough thermal conditions resulting from the high frequency, high current and highly saturated operation. Some experimental results are also included in order to validate the modelling and simulation results

Design Simulation and Experiments on Electrical Machines for Integrated Starter-Generator Applications

This thesis presents two different non-permanent magnet machine designs for belt-driven integrated starter-generator (B-ISG) applications. The goal of this project is to improve the machine performance over a benchmark classical switched reluctance machine (SRM) in terms of efficiency, control complexity, torque ripple level and power factor. The cost penalty due to the necessity of a specially designed H-bridge machine inverter is also taken into consideration by implementation of a conventional AC inverter. The first design changes the classical SRM winding configuration to utilise both self-inductance and mutual-inductance in torque production. This allows the use of AC sinusoidal current with lower cost and comparable or even increased torque density. Torque density can be further increased by using a bipolar square current drive with optimum conduction angle. A reduction in control difficulty is also achieved by adoption of standard AC machine control theory. Despite these merits, the inherently low power factor and poor field weakening capability makes these machines unfavourable in B-ISG applications. The second design is a wound rotor synchronous machine (WRSM). From FE analysis, a six pole geometry presents a lower loss level over four pole geometry. Torque ripple and iron loss are effectively reduced by the use of an eccentric rotor pole. To determine the minimum copper loss criteria, a novel algorithm is proposed over the conventional Lagrange method, where the deviation is lowered from ± 10% to ± 1%, and the simulation time is reduced from hours to minutes on standard desktop PC hardware. With the proposed design and control strategies, the WRSM delivers a comparable field weakening capability and a higher efficiency compared with the benchmark SRM under the New European Driving Cycle, where a reduction in machine losses of 40% is possible. Nevertheless, the wound rotor structure brings mechanical and thermal challenges. A speed limit of 11,000 rpm is imposed by centrifugal forces. A maximum continuous motoring power of 3.8 kW is imposed by rotor coil temperature performance, which is extended to 5 kW by a proposed temperature balancing method. A prototype machine is then constructed, where the minimum copper loss criteria is experimentally validated. A discrepancy of no more than 10% is shown in back-EMF, phase voltage, average torque and loss from FE simulation

Modelling and Control of Switched Reluctance Machines

Today, switched reluctance machines (SRMs) play an increasingly important role in various sectors due to advantages such as robustness, simplicity of construction, low cost, insensitivity to high temperatures, and high fault tolerance. They are frequently used in fields such as aeronautics, electric and hybrid vehicles, and wind power generation. This book is a comprehensive resource on the design, modeling, and control of SRMs with methods that demonstrate their good performance as motors and generators

Modelling and Control of Switched Reluctance Machines

Today, switched reluctance machines (SRMs) play an increasingly important role in various sectors due to advantages such as robustness, simplicity of construction, low cost, insensitivity to high temperatures, and high fault tolerance. They are frequently used in fields such as aeronautics, electric and hybrid vehicles, and wind power generation. This book is a comprehensive resource on the design, modeling, and control of SRMs with methods that demonstrate their good performance as motors and generators

Design and Construction Modifications of Switched Reluctance Machines

Although the design principles of the Switched Reluctance Machines (SRMs) are available in different fragments in numerous bibliography positions, there no exists the complex design procedure of whole drive system taking into account the SR Machine, control system and supply device as well. The hybrid design method for SRM drives with application of new analytical calculation methods, finite element method and simulation models is proposed in this thesis. The calculation/design system is characterised by important effectivity and reliability. The new possibilities in analytical determination of saturation effects and core losses under various modes of control, including sensorless method, are also taken into account. The correctness of the proposed design algorithms are verified by laboratory tests made on three motor prototypes manufactured in industry for concrete application. This dissertation provides the elements indispensable for more accurate and complex analysis and design of drives with switch reluctance motors. The elements of electrical motor and control system design as well as the considerations on the choice of supply device and controller subsystems are jointed in the thesis for final receiving of the design tool for considered industrial drive system

Design and initial testing of a high speed 45 kW switched reluctance drive for aerospace application

This paper presents innovative research towards the development of a 45 kW high speed switched reluctance drive as an alternative starter-generator for future aero-engines. To perform such a function the machine had to be designed with a very wide constant power-speed range. During engine-start/motoring mode, a peak torque demand of 54 Nm at 8 krpm was met, whilst in generating mode, 19.2-32 krpm, the machine was designed to deliver a constant power of 45 kW. The key enabling feature of the design lies in the novel rotor structure developed so as to allow for such a wide speed range. The results presented, are those measured during the initial testing phase and validate the system design and performance in the low-speed region with the machine operated in starting-mode. The measured machine power density is at 9.8 kW/ltr, whilst the global system efficiency is at 82%

Assisted Switched Reluctance Machines

Switched reluctance machine (SRM) modifications in both control schemes and physical design have been steadily increasing in academia to improve machine performance. Assisted switched reluctance machines (ASRMs) are a type of design modification for SRMs. Permanent magnets (PMs) and electromagnetic DC coils (DCC) are being added to the SRM to improve its torque output and overall efficiency. The choice for the design modification has been evolving throughout the decades. The focus has shifted from adding DCC to ASRM to adding PMs to ASRMs. This paper reviews the research trends of ASRMs and includes an analysis of the modified stator yoke design. Although adding PMs limit the application of machines away from extreme environmental conditions due to risk of demagnetization and increase material costs, the torque density and torque ripple reductions can out-perform DCC. PM ASRM are a good choice for energy efficiency-sensitive applications, but DCC, with proper control circuitry, can have a wider application and smaller initial build cost

New design of switched reluctance motor using finite element analysis for hybrid electric vehicle applications

Switched reluctance motors (SRMs) have been gaining increasing popularity and emerging as an attractive alternative to traditional electrical motors in hybrid vehicle applications due to their simple structure, ruggedness, ability of fault-tolerance, extremely high-speed operation, high power density, and low manufacturing cost. However, large torque ripple and acoustic noise are well-known as their major disadvantages. This thesis presents a novel five-phase 15/12 SRM which features higher power density, very low level of vibration with flexibility in controlling the torque ripple profile. This design is classified as an axial field SRM, hence it needs 3-dimensional finite-element analysis model. Nonetheless, an alternative 2-dimensional model is developed and simulated using FEA software (MagNet) in order to analyze the proposed model. The findings from the simulation is scrutinized and analyzed to realize various design features along with performance of the model. The finding in reference to the proposed axial field model is then compared with existing radial field models to validate its performance improvement. The manufacturing issues were addressed to prove its feasibility and cost effectiveness in conjunction with its assembly competences. Taking all the aspects into account superiority of new model\u27s efficiency is comprehended to justify its application in HEV application

Development of methods, algorithms and software for optimal design of switched reluctance drives

The aim of this thesis is to estimate the perspectives of integrated switched reluctance drives (I-SRDs), i.e. reluctance machines integrated with converters. It is assumed that such drive series can be manufactured in the power range of 0.75...7.5 kW and speed ranges of 300...3000 rpm and 600...6000 rpm for applications like pumps, fans, conveyors, compressors, extruders and mixers. Based on the performed research and design work it is stated that the new drives have to be developed according to their applications, which determine objective functions and constraints, and that the best possible design should be found as a solution of a synthesis task. Sizing equations are not applied at all. The approach used in the thesis is based on the virtual prototyping concept, i.e. the new I-SRD series is designed in a virtual environment. Therefore, mathematical models and the ways to verify them have to be elaborated. The concepts of multidisciplinary and multilevel modeling are applied. The multidisciplinary model is a combination of interconnected electromagnetic, thermal and noise models. The multilevel concept is the approach when different elements of the drive are described using different languages, i.e. on different levels. Several original solutions are introduced, like the electromagnetic model comprising SIMULINK block-diagrams and MATLAB script, expressions for the correction of the flux linkage due to end-effects, an original equivalent circuit for thermal analysis, which allows using a very simple and fast method to solve the circuit, together with the concept of a multi-layer equivalent cylinder for modeling the motor winding. For verification of the multidisciplinary model a database of test results has been collected using both testing of several reluctance machines in the laboratory and analyzing of test results published by other researchers. After verification the model can be considered as a virtual prototype and can be used in the synthesis process. Several methods of solving the synthesis task were tested. The method, proved to be best suited for solving this task in the proposed form, is the genetic algorithm in the vector form with alphabetic encoding. The genetic algorithm should be coupled with the experimental design method or with the Monte-Carlo method

Modelling and Control of Switched Reluctance Machines

Today, switched reluctance machines (SRMs) play an increasingly important role in various sectors due to advantages such as robustness, simplicity of construction, low cost, insensitivity to high temperatures, and high fault tolerance. They are frequently used in fields such as aeronautics, electric and hybrid vehicles, and wind power generation. This book is a comprehensive resource on the design, modeling, and control of SRMs with methods that demonstrate their good performance as motors and generators