MODULE IV

RELUCTANCE MOTOR AND SRM

SYLLABUS

RELUCTANCE MOTORS – PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION – TORQUE EQUATION – TORQUE SLIP

CHARACTERISTICS-APPLICATIONS.

SWITCHED RELUCTANCE MOTORS – PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION – POWER CONVERTER CIRCUITS

– TORQUE EQUATION – DIFFERENT TYPES – COMPARISON – APPLICATIONS.

MUHAMMED RAMEES M K P, APEEE

EE402 SPECIAL ELECTRICAL MACHINES
Contents
1. Reluctance Motor ............................................................................................................................. 3
1.1. Construction .............................................................................................................................. 3
1.1. Working ..................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2. Torque equation ........................................................................................................................ 4
1.3. Torque speed characteristics...................................................................................................... 6
1.4. Advantages ................................................................................................................................ 7
1.5. Disadvantages ............................................................................................................................ 7
1.6. Applications ............................................................................................................................... 7
2. Switched Reluctance motor (SRM).................................................................................................... 7
2.1. Construction .............................................................................................................................. 7
2.2. Principle of working ................................................................................................................... 8
2.3. Torque equation ........................................................................................................................ 9
2.4. Characteristic of Switched Reluctance Motor ........................................................................... 10
2.4.1. The relationship between inductance and torque production according to rotor position 10
2.4.2. The torque-speed characteristics of an SRM ..................................................................... 11
2.4.3. Other characteristics ......................................................................................................... 12
2.5. DISTINCTION BETWEEN SWITCHED RELUCTANCE MOTOR AND THE VARIABLE RELUCTANCE
STEPPER MOTOR ................................................................................................................................ 12
2.6. Merits of SRM .......................................................................................................................... 12
2.7. Demerits of SRM ...................................................................................................................... 13
2.8. Application of SRM ................................................................................................................... 13
2.9. POWER SEMICONDUCTOR SWITCHING CIRCUITS FOR SRM (POWER CONTROLLERS) ............... 13
2.9.1. Two switching devices per phase and two diodes. ............................................................ 14
a. Advantages ....................................................................................................................... 14
b. Disadvantages ................................................................................................................... 15
2.9.2. (n+1) power switching devices and (n+1) diodes. .............................................................. 15
a. Advantages ....................................................................................................................... 15
b. Disadvantages ................................................................................................................... 15
2.9.3. Converter circuit for SRM with Bifilar winding. .................................................................. 15
a. Advantages ....................................................................................................................... 16
b. Disadvantages ................................................................................................................... 16
2.9.4. Split-link circuit ................................................................................................................. 16
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 a. Advantages ....................................................................................................................... 17
b. Disadvantages ................................................................................................................... 17
2.9.5. C-Dump circuit .................................................................................................................. 17
a. Disadvantages ................................................................................................................... 17

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 1. RELUCTANCE MOTOR

1.1. CONSTRUCTION

Let us consider that the rotor of the squirrel cage induction motor consists of 24 copper bars. If the rotor
bar 5, 6, 11, 12,17,18,23 and 24 are cut, it is like 4 salient poles.

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 1.1. WORKING

1.2. TORQUE EQUATION

The voltage equation of a reluctance motor is given by

= − −

Where

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 → ℎ

→ ℎ

Phasor diagram of SyRM

By neglecting the armature resistance, the phasor diagram can be modified as shown in figure

Neglecting the losses, the power developed by the motor is given by

= cos ∅

From the above phasor diagram

sin =
cos =
cos
=

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 sin
=

From the above phasor diagram

cos ∅ = cos − sin

sin cos
cos ∅ = cos − sin

2 sin cos 2 sin cos

= −
2
sin 2 sin 2
= −
2
1 1
= − sin 2
2
= cos ∅
1 1
= − sin 2
2
1 1
= − sin 2
2

Torque developed

− sin 2
= =

Where ℎ ℎ

1.3. TORQUE SPEED CHARACTERISTICS

The starting torque depends upon the rotor position. The value of the starting torque varies between
300 to 400 % of its full load torque. As we know that as motor attains speed nearly of synchronous
speed the auxiliary winding is disconnected, and the rotor continues to rotate at the synchronous speed.

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The motor operates at a constant speed up to a little over than 200% of its full load torque. If the
loading of the motor is increased above the value of the pull out torque, the motor loose synchronism
but continues to run as a single phase induction motor up to over 500% of its rated torque.

1.4. ADVANTAGES

· Low maintenance
· DC supply not necessary
· Simple construction
· Constant speed characteristic

1.5. DISADVANTAGES

· Low efficiency
· Low power factor
· Only fraction of load taken as compared to three phase induction motor

1.6. APPLICATIONS

· Automatic regulator
· Signalling devices
· Recording instruments
· Tele printer
· Timer circuits
· Gramophone

2. SWITCHED RELUCTANCE MOTOR (SRM)

The SRM has several advantages like high efficiency, good performance in terms of torque to inertial
ratio, maximum operating speed and simple construction.

2.1. CONSTRUCTION

Constructionally SRM is like variable reluctance stepper motor. The stator of the SRM has salient poles.
The poles carry concentric windings. The coil on opposite poles are connected in series to form stator
phases. The rotor contains no winding or permanent magnet. It is built up of steel laminations. The
laminations are stacked to the shaft.

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 2.2. PRINCIPLE OF WORKING

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(iv) Flux density is changing in magnitude and direction in the magnetic circuit when rotor moves. The
results in iron loss. To reduce iron loss, laminated rotor and stator structures should be used

2.3. TORQUE EQUATION

Applying Faraday’s law s of electromagnetic induction, the emf induced is given by

(, )
=−

Where ( , ) is the flux linkage which is a function of current and rotor angle

(, )
= +

= +

Where = is the angular velocity, L is the inductance.

Magnitude of emf

(, )
= = +

Power developed

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 = +

From basic magnitude circuit theory, the energy stored in a magnetic field is given by

1
=
2
Power due to variation of magnetic field is

1 1
= ×2 +
2 2
1
= +
2
1
= +
2
Mechanical power developed is given by

= − ℎ
1
= + − +
2
1
=
2
Torque developed is given by

=
1
=
2

Positive value of corresponds to motoring action and negative value of corresponds to generating
action.

2.4. CHARACTERISTIC OF SWITCHED RELUCTANCE MOTOR

2.4.1. The relationship between inductance and torque production according to rotor position

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The relationship between inductance and torque production according to rotor position is shown in
above figure. The aligned position of a phase is defined to be the situation when the stator and rotor
poles of the phase are perfectly aligned with each other ( − ), attaining the minimum reluctance
position and at this position phase inductance is maximum ( ). The phase inductance decreases
gradually as the rotor poles move away from the aligned position in either direction. When the rotor
poles are symmetrically misaligned with the stator poles of a phase ( − ), the position is said to be
the unaligned position and at this position the phase has minimum inductance ( ).

2.4.2. The torque-speed characteristics of an SRM

The torque-speed characteristics of an SRM are shown in Fig. Based on different speed ranges, the
motor torque generation has been divided into three different regions: constant torque, constant power
and falling power region.

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 2.4.3. Other characteristics

2.5. DISTINCTION BETWEEN SWITCHED RELUCTANCE MOTOR AND THE VARIABLE RELUCTANCE
STEPPER MOTOR

· The conduction angle for phase currents is controlled and synchronized with the rotor position,
usually by means of a shaft position sensor. Thus SR motor is exactly like a brushless dc motor.
But the stepper motor is usually fed with a square-wave of phase current without rotor position
feedback.
· SR motor is designed for efficient power conversion at high speeds comparable with those of the
PM brushless dc motor. The stepper motor is usually designed as a torque motor with a limited
speed range.
· SR motor is more than a high-speed stepper motor. Its performance and low manufacturing cost
make it a competitive motor to PM brushless dc motor.

2.6. MERITS OF SRM

1. Construction is simple and robust, as there is no brush.

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 2. Rotor carries no windings, no slip rings and brush-less maintenance.
3. No permanent magnet, neither in the stator nor in the rotor.
4. Ventilating system is simpler as losses takes place mostly in stator.
5. Power semiconductor switching circuitry is simpler.
6. No shoot-through fault is likely to happen in power semiconductor circuits.
7. Torque developed does not depend upon the polarity of the current In the phase winding.
8. The operation of the machine can be easily changed from motoring mode to generating mode

2.7. DEMERITS OF SRM

1. Stator phase winding should be capable of carrying the magnetizing current also, for setting up
the flux in the air gap.
2. For high speed operations, the developed torque has undesirable ripples. As a result it develops
undesirable acoustic losses (noise).
3. For high speeds, current waveform also has undesirable harmonics. To suppress this effect large
size capacitor is to be connected.
4. The air gap at the aligned axis should be very small while the air gap at the inter-polar axis should
be very large. It is difficult to achieve. No standardized practice is available.
5. The size of the motor is comparable with the size of variable speed induction motor drive.
6. Number of power wires between power semiconductor circuitry and the motor and the number
of control cables from one controller to the power semiconductor circuitry are more and all to be
properly connected.
7. It requires a position sensor.

2.8. APPLICATION OF SRM

1. Washing machines
2. Vacuum cleaners
3. Fans
4. Future automobile applications
5. Robotic control applications

2.9. POWER SEMICONDUCTOR SWITCHING CIRCUITS FOR SRM (POWER CONTROLLERS)

The selection of controller (converter) depends upon the application. The power semiconductor
switching circuits used are

1. Two switching devices per phase and two diodes.

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 2. (n+1) power switching devices and (n+1) diodes.
3. Converter circuit for SRM with Bifilar winding.
4. Split-link circuit
5. C-dump circuit.

2.9.1. Two switching devices per phase and two diodes.

As shown in fig 3.4 phase winding A is connected to the dc supply through power semiconductor
devices T1 and T2. Depending upon the rotor position, when the phase winding A is to be energized
the devices T1 and T2 are turned ON. When the phase winding is to be disconnected from the supply
(this instant is also dependent on the position of the shaft) the devices T1 and T2 are turned off. The
stored energy in the phase winding A tends to maintain the current in the same direction. This
current passes from the winding through D1 and D2 to the supply. Thus, the stored energy is fed
back to the mains.

Similarly phase winding B & C are also switched on to the supply and switched off from the supply in
a cyclic manner. This circuit requires 2 power switching devices and 2 diodes for each phase winding.
For high speed operation it is required to see that the stored energy can be fed back to the mains
within the available period.

Usually the upper devices T1, T3 and T5 are turned on and off from the signals obtained from the
rotor position sensor. The duration of conduction or angle of conduction θ can be controlled by
using suitable control circuitry. The lower devices T2, T4, T6 are controlled from signals obtained by
chopping frequency signal.

a. Advantages

· Control of each phase is completely independent of the other phase.

· The converter can free wheel during the chopping period at low speeds which helps to
reduce the reduce the switching frequency and thus the switching losses of the converter.
· The energy from the off going phase is feedback to the source, which results in utilization of
energy

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 b. Disadvantages

· Higher number of switches required in each phase, which makes the converter expensive and
used for low voltage applications.

2.9.2. (n+1) power switching devices and (n+1) diodes.

The circuit is shown in figure. It requires (n+1) power switching devices and (n+1) diodes for a motor
with n phases. For energising phase A, T and T1 are turned ON. When these devices are turned OFF, the
stored energy is fed back to the supply through diodes D and D1. T and T2 are used for switching B.
Similarly, T and T3 are turned ON for exciting phase C.

a. Advantages

· Cost is reduced as less number of switching devices are used

· Freewheeling is possible
· Voltage rating of all devices are equal to the supply voltages which are relatively low
· Efficiency is improved by feedback

b. Disadvantages
· Higher torque ripple
· Higher switching stress for T as it is conducting current while other phases are energised.

2.9.3. Converter circuit for SRM with Bifilar winding.

Each phase winding has two exactly similar phase windings as shown in figure. For this bifilar
wires are used .Each phase consists of two identical windings and are magnetically coupled when
one of them are excited.

When T1 is turned on the dc current passes through the phase winding A. when the devices T1 is
turned off the stored energy in the magnetic field is fed back to the dc source through the
winding A’ and D1 to the supply. The three devices operate in a sequential way depending upon
the signals obtained from the rotor position sensor and the chopping signals for PWM technique
obtained from the controller.

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 a. Advantages

· The converter uses lower number of switching devices thus reducing the cost on the
converter.
· The converter allows fast demagnetization of phases during commutation

b. Disadvantages
· Bifilar winding suffers from double number of connections.
· A poor utilization of copper.
· Freewheeling is not possible during chopping as the phases have -Vdc. This causes of higher
ripples in current and torque during chopping.
· The imperfection in the coupling between the two winding causes voltage spikes during turn off.
· The copper loss associated with the auxiliary winding is unacceptable high for many applications

2.9.4. Split-link circuit

The circuit shown in figure.

The main power supply is split into two halves using split capacitors. During conduction, energy is
supplied to the phases by one half the power supply. During commutation period, the phases
demagnetize into other half of the power supply.

When switch T1 is turned on, phase winding A is energized by capacitor C1. When switch T1 is turned
off, the stored energy in the phase winding A is fed back to the capacitor C2 through diode D2. The
similar operation takes place in the remaining winding also.

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 a. Advantages

· It requires lower number of switching devices.

· Faster demagnetization of phases during commutation.

b. Disadvantages

· During chopping, freewheeling is not possible as the phaser have the voltage . This causes

higher switching frequency and more losses.

· This is not feasible for low voltage application.
· The converter is fewer faults tolerant as fault in any phase will unbalance the other phase that is
connected to it.

2.9.5. C-Dump circuit

The circuit uses (n+1) additional devices to feed the stored energy from the dump capacitor C back to
the supply through step down chopper circuit. The circuit diagram is shown in figure.

a. Disadvantages
1. Dump capacitor voltage is maintained ―2 Vdc‖ to allow fast demagne za on. But use of a
capacitor and an inductor in the dump circuit and the voltage rating of other devices is twice the
bus voltage
2. Monitoring of the dump capacitor voltage VC and control of dump switch T makes the converter
very complicated and the converter does not allow freewheeling.

2.10. REFERENCES

1. E. G. Janardhanan, ‘Special Electrical Machines’ PHI Learning Private Limited

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