Performance comparison of short pitched and fully pitched switched reluctance machines

This paper presents a comprehensive comparison of switched reluctance machines (SRM) with short pitched and full pitched windings for the same machine geometry. A switched reluctance machine designed for off-road vehicles with short-pitched windings is rewound with full-pitched windings and the two winding structures are compared. The effect of number of turns on the torque speed characteristics is also investigated. The two different winding configurations were evaluated with unipolar excitation at the same bus voltage level of the driver. The machines are compared with respect to their electromagnetic behavior, operating range, torque per ampere, and efficiency. The comparison would better guide designers on what type of configuration would best suit to their applications. The comparison is conducted with the aid of Finite element analysis. An experimental 50 kW prototype for the off-road vehicle application is used for experimental validation.