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Switched reluctance machines (SRMs) with modular or segmented structures normally have light weight, low cost, easily manufactured and improved fault‐tolerance capability. In this study, two novel three‐phase modular SRMs (MSRMs) with the same E‐shaped stator modules and different rotor topologies, namely, segmented rotor and conventional rotor are evaluated and compared. The basic machine topologies and simplified magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) are presented first. The static electromagnetic characteristics of two MSRMs such as flux distribution, phase flux linkage and inductance, electromagnetic torque, and so on, are computed and compared by three‐dimensional finite‐element analysis. Then, the dynamic performances including steady state and transient operations of two MSRM drives are evaluated and compared. The corresponding predictions and comparisons indicate that the segmented rotor topology has less iron consumption, higher torque density and power density and lower torque ripple, which is preferred for the three‐phase MSRMs. Finally, two MSRM prototypes with segmented rotor and conventional rotor are manufactured and tested for experimental verification and comparison. The experimental results of static flux linkage, steady state and transient performances of two MSRM drives are presented and compared, which verify the analytical MEC model, finite element analysis and the corresponding predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel switched reluctance machine (SRM) with modular E‐core stators and multi‐layer common rotors for high reliability applications. The stator is composed of six independent modular E‐cores with the windings wound around the yoke of the E‐cores. The rotor consists of three magnetically independent common rotors which are place in the same shaft without any angular shift. The equivalent magnetic circuit (EMC) models of this new SRM at the aligned and unaligned positions are described. To evaluate the motor performance, two types of analysis, namely, approximate simplified two‐dimensional (2D) model and 3D model finite‐element analysis (FEA) have been utilised. The 2D FEA static and dynamic results are compared with 3D FEA results. Furthermore, comparisons between the novel modular SRM and a conventional 6/4 SRM are made. Finally, a prototype of this modular SRM has been fabricated and tested in the laboratory. Comparison between FEA and EMC analysis for flux linkage are made and compared with measured characteristics. The simulated and measured phase currents and average torque are also presented and compared to verify the analytical and simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a new configuration for dual‐channel switched reluctance motor (DCSRM) called as decoupled DCSRM (DDCSRM), which can be proposed as a suitable candidate for high‐reliability applications. In this new DDCSRM, the two channels could be considered as two synchronously independent 6/4 three‐phase SRMs with no mutual coupling when they are excited simultaneously. The machine topology and magnetic characteristics of flux distribution, static flux linkage and torque by using finite‐element analysis are presented. Then, the mathematic models of the DDCSRM drive under normal and open‐circuit fault operations are proposed. To achieve fault‐tolerant operation, a control strategy of open‐circuit faults for the DDCSRM drive is presented. The key of the fault‐tolerant control strategy is to maintain the rotor speed as the normal motoring operation. The dynamic performances of the DDCSRM drive under normal and open‐circuit fault conditions are analysed by using the control strategy. Finally, an experimental setup for a 12/8 DDCSRM drive system is built for verification. The experimental results at normal and various open‐circuit fault conditions are presented to verify the control strategy of the DDCSRM drive system and the analytical and simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]