Experimental Vibration Studies on a Solid-Rotor Switched Reluctance Machine

In this paper, vibration characteristics of a solid-rotor switched reluctance machine (SRM) are measured in the static as well as dynamic conditions. Static measurements are carried out on the SRM assembly using impulse hammer tests. Three different locations each are considered on the SRM assembly for application of impulse force using a hammer and for measurement of vibrations using accelerometers. These impulse hammer tests provide the main resonant frequencies of the SRM structures, including the rotor assembly, bearing housing and enclosure. Dynamic measurements are carried out with the SRM running at different speeds. Vibrations are reported for two different control methods, namely, single pulse and current control. Single pulse control provides a spread out spectrum with lower peak amplitude. The rotor natural frequencies, obtained using the static impulse hammer test, are found to be dominant in the dynamic vibrations measured at different speeds.