Advanced Control of Switched Reluctance Motors (SRMs): A Review on Current Regulation, Torque Control and Vibration Suppression

Abstract

With the increasing environmental concerns, a paradigm shift towards electric and hybrid electric vehicles is expected. Switched Reluctance Motors (SRMs) have emerged as a viable competitor to other established electrical machines. SRMs are known for their simple construction, robustness, inherent fault tolerant structure and low production and maintenance costs. Moreover, the machine has gained interest due to the absence of permanent magnets or windings in the rotor structure, which significantly reduces production costs when compared to other electric motors. The SRM, however, present some known drawbacks, such as increased torque ripple and acoustic noise production, as well as a highly nonlinear behavior. Through the use of adequate control strategies, however, the main challenges of the machine can be overcome. Thus, this paper presents a state-of-the-art review of the advanced control of SRMs, encompassing current regulation strategies, torque control strategies and vibration suppression techniques. First, two-categories of current controllers are reviewed: model-independent and model-based. Next, indirect and direct torque control methods are explored. Then, three approaches to vibration suppression are discussed, namely active cancellation, current profiling and direct instantaneous force control. Lastly, a summary of each topic is presented and suggestions of future research topics are listed.

A Review on Switched Reluctance Generators in Wind Power Applications: Fundamentals, Control and Future Trends

“…Other techniques based on intelligent algorithms, such as iterative learning control, have been evaluated for switched reluctance motor (SRM) drives, as detailed in [20]. For SRG-related applications, however, authors were unable to find attempts of using this technique to address voltage or power control problems.…”

“…However, the switched reluctance machine presents some known challenges. A highly nonlinear behavior due to the position-dependent phase inductance, high torque ripple due to the switched nature of the machine and acoustic noise production due to the large radial forces are among the drawbacks of the machine [20]- [22]. In addition, SRGs in wind power applications require adequate parameter selection as well as robust controllers for a wide range of speed [23], [24].…”

Integration of Switched Reluctance Generator in a Wind Energy Conversion System: An Overview of the State of the Art and Challenges

“…The switched reluctance machines have been mainly applied to drive motors, and numerous studies on torque ripple reduction in the motor mode have been conducted extensively [48,70]. Among the most practical control strategies is the Torque Sharing Function (TSF) method.…”

Predictive Current Control for Switched Reluctance Motor Based on Local Linear Phase Voltage Model

“…The switched reluctance motor (SRM) has attracted increasing attention because of its simple and robust structure, absence of permanent magnets and windings in the rotor and high efficiency in a wide speed range. However, SRM has the main disadvantage of high torque ripple due to its double-salient structure [1][2][3]. In order to reduce the torque ripple, numerous solutions related to motor design or motor control have been proposed.…”