Field-based models for low speed switched reluctance machine designs

This paper presents a design assistance methodology of low speed Switched Reluctance Machines (SRM) using field-based models. The magnetic properties of the iron, the number of rotor poles, and the number of poles per phase, all play a significant role in the machine design. The proposed comparison procedure uses field-based models along with scale models, based on similarity laws, to compare SRM designs. The field-based models are here applied in dimensional analysis of regular and non-regular topologies distinguished by different characteristics of electric and magnetic circuits. As an added value for this methodology, similarity laws take into account physical phenomena like thermal changes and magnetic saturation. Hypotheses introduced in the methodology formulation were verified by finite element analysis. This work is motivated by the application of SRM to direct drive wind converters and other low speed renewable energy systems. As an application example of this methodology, a non-regular topology with short flux-paths was compared with a regular prototype, 3-phase, 12/16, SRM, designed for a direct drive wind turbine: a gain of power per unit of mass is achieved with the former one.