A comprehensive design methodology for switched reluctance machines

The description of a comprehensive design methodology for switched reluctance machines (SRMs) is reported here. The magnetic properties of the iron, the number of phases, and the number of poles per phase all have a nonlinear effect on an SRM's performance. These effects, along with the sizing of the machine envelope and internal dimensions, make the machine design an insight-intensive effort. Maximization of torque density, power output, efficiency, speed range and first critical speed and minimization of torque ripple, temperature rise, acoustic noise and overall cost are among the many design objectives and critical issues that must be addressed during the design process. A design methodology that maximizes the desired features and minimizes the unwanted effects is presented here. Static and dynamic system-level simulations and finite-element analysis have been carried out for a four-phase 8/6 1.0-kW SRM as a design example to support the efficacy of the proposed design procedure.