SPECIAL ELECTRICAL MACHINE

TOPIC: SWITCHED RELUCTANCE MOTOR AND ITS

APPLICATONS

ABSTRACT:
With computer technology ,power electronics ,digital control technology a new
type of power system Switched reluctance motor drives came into being it is based on modern
power electronics and computer CNC technology ,because of its unique properties make it ideal
for press the power system, to solve the problems of existing power system to improve press
performance. Switched reluctance machines (SRM) offer attractive attributes for automotive
applications. These include robustness to harsh operational conditions, rugged structure, fault
resilient performance, and a wide range of speed. The main debate over the adequacy of
switched reluctance drives in automotive applications has often focused on efficiency and
position sensor less control over the entire speed range, adaptation of control algorithms in the
presence of parameter variations, and high levels of acoustic noise and vibration. A novel drive
system for a switched reluctance motor (SRM) is described. Instead of current sensors, the drive
uses power MOSFET transistors with integrated pilot devices for current sensing. To compensate
for the loss of current feedback when the switches are `off', a fixed off-time chopping strategy is
used to control the phase currents. To eliminate the position sensor normally required for SR
motor control, the controller estimates the rotor position using phase inductance measurements.
The position estimation scheme is sufficiently precise to allow positioning of the phase firing
pulses to within approximately two electrical degrees of the desired rotor angle, and full four-
quadrant operation of the system is possible. A laboratory prototype system built and tested at
speeds up to 3000 r/min shows good performance in all four operating quadrants, including at
zero speed. This paper will elaborate about SRM construction and its applications
INTRODUCTION

Switched Reluctance Motors:
The switched reluctance motors are synchronous motor and almost similar to the brushless
permanent magnet motors only both differ in the rotor construction such that the rotors are made
up of the laminated soft magnetic material shaped such as to form the salient.
Principle of operation:
In the magnetic field when a magnetic material is kept such that it will align itself with the
direction of the magnetic field such that the reluctance of the magnetic circuit is minimized.
When it is kept it in the reverse direction as it was kept before then it will direct itself towards
the magnetic poles thereby creating the field .A torque is created on the rotor known as the
reluctance torque.
The magnetic circuit of the motor will have high magnetic reluctance when the spaces between
the rotor poles are opposite to the stator poles and similarly when the rotor poles and the stator
poles are in the same direction then magnetic circuit of the motor will have low magnetic
reluctance. To minimize the reluctance path a pair of the stator pole if energized with the nearest
stator poles it can be analyzed.
The reluctance motor requires the position feedback so that the motor phase commutation can be
controlled. By the use of the position sensors the feedback control can be provided.Even the
sensor less position control is possible if more complex electronic circuits and the software are
used.Motor torque can be maximized by synchronizing the controller switching phase with rotor
position so that torque angle is held at its maximum of 90
0
.
The motor design are double salient i.e. both the stator and the rotor have the salient poles.The
rotor has comparatively less number of poles than the stator which enables self starting and the
bidirectional control.
No back emf is generated as the rotor is not made up of the permanent magnet,it is made up of
iron such that it helps the motor to reach high speed as similar to the permanent magnet motors
speed.This type of the motors uses the electronic commutation process which is provided to the
rotating field.



APPLICATIONS OF SWITCHED RELUCTANCE
MOTOR:
Switched reluctance motors power electric Land Rovers


At the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, Land Rover unveiled a range of seven electric research
vehicles powered by a switched reluctance (SR) motor and drive system developed in the UK.
The EVs are based on Land Rover's 110 Defender model in which the standard diesel engine and
gearbox have been replaced by a 70kW switched reluctance motor, twinned with a 300V lithium-
ion battery with a capacity of 27kWh, giving the vehicle a range of more than 80km on a full
charge. The top speed is around 110km/h and, in typical low speed off-road use, the vehicles can
run for up to eight hours before recharging.

The switched reluctance technology, developed and built by Harrogate-based Nidec SR Drives,
is well suited to the Defenders arduous all-terrain traction needs, being able to deliver full-rated
power over a wide speed range. The electric vehicles (EVs) retain the Defenders four-wheel
drive system and differential lock. But, because the SR motor delivers 330Nm of torque from
standstill, theres no need for gear shifting and the transmission comprises a single-speed, 2.7:1
reduction gearbox, combined with the Defenders standard four-wheel drive system.
For more than 30 years, SR Drives has been at the forefront of the development, application and
commercialisation of switched reluctance technologies, and is widely regarded as the world
leader in the field. In 2010, the Japanese motor-maker Nidec acquired the business from its
previous owner, Emerson Electric.
Switched reluctance motors deliver high performance without needing rare-earth materials such
as neodymium and dysprosium. The motors contain materials, such as copper, steel and
aluminium that are recyclable at the end of their lives an important consideration in automotive
applications.

The smooth, low-speed capability of the SR electric powertrain makes the electric Defenders
especially suitable for climbing and descending inclines without causing unnecessary damage to
ground surfaces. The vehicles have been tested in extreme and environmentally sensitive
conditions. The trials included pulling a 12-tonne road train up a 13% gradient, and wading
through water up to 800mm deep. The absence of an air intake or exhaust system allows a
300mm increase in wading depth compared to standard Defenders.
We are delighted to have worked with Land Rover on this exciting development, says Nidec
SR Drives managing director, Dr Roy Blake. It was a great opportunity for us to transfer our
proven traction technology from heavy-duty mining and construction vehicles to smaller road-
going applications. The marriage of our rugged high-performance technology with the Defender
vehicle is an excellent pairing and aligns well with plans by Nidec Corporation to place SR Drive
technology at the heart of its EV traction developments.
Nidec is currently developing magnet-free switched reluctance drive systems for electric
vehicles, with the aim of launching them in around 2015.


SRM IN WASHING MACHINE:


A major domestic appliance manufacturer, in the process
of developing a new washing machine, was faced with
the need for a motor drive capable of powering the high
loads presented by a horizontal axis, 8 kg drum. The
manufacturer; partnered with Emerson Appliance Motor
Division, worked with Nidec SR Drives Ltd to develop
an advanced solution based on a new switched
reluctance SR Drive

platform .The three phase

switched reluctance motor is ideally suited to the wide
speed range and high low-speed torque required in a
front loading washing machine. The simple, robust
construction of the SR Drive

machine makes it highly

appropriate for high-volume low-cost manufacture.
The motor operated the drum through a belt drive and







used a patented technique to operate from a single
position sensor. The electronic control board included a
custom ASIC (application specific integrated circuit)
containing a specially developed microprocessor and
incorporating a number of novel features to extend
washing machine control to new levels of performance.







Production cost was further reduced in the second generation controller, which added full
position-sensorless machine control in a single mixed-signal ASIC.