Switched Reluctance Motors and Drive Systems for Electric Vehicle Powertrains: State of the Art Analysis and Future Trends

Abstract

This paper presents a detailed literature review on switched reluctance motor (SRM) and drive systems in electric vehicle (EV) powertrains. SRMs have received increasing attention for EV applications owing to their reliable structure, fault tolerance ability and magnet free design. The main drawbacks of the SRM are torque ripple, low power density, low power factor and small extended speed range. Recent research shows that multi-stack conventional switched reluctance motors (MSCSRM) and multi-stack switched reluctance motors with a segmental rotor (MSSRM-SR) are promising alternative solutions to reduce torque ripples, increase torque density and increase power factor. Different winding configurations such as single-layer concentrated winding (SLC), single layer mutually coupled winding (SLMC), double layer concentrated winding (DLC), double layer mutually coupled winding (DLMC) and fully-pitched winding (FP) are introduced in the literature in recent years to increase average torque and to decrease torque ripples. This research analyzes winding methods and structure of the SRMs, including conventional and segmental rotors. They have been compared and assessed in detail evaluation of torque ripple reduction, torque/power density increase, noise/vibration characteristics and mechanical structure. In addition, various drive systems are fully addressed for the SRMs, including conventional drives, soft-switching drives, drives with standard inverters and drives with an integrated battery charger. In this paper, the SRM control methods are also reviewed and classified. These control methods include strategies of torque ripple reduction, fault-diagnosis, fault-tolerance techniques and sensorless control. The key contributions of this paper provide a useful basis for detailed analysis of modeling and electromechanical design, drive systems, and control techniques of the SRMs for EV applications.

Fault-Tolerant Multilevel Converter to Feed a Switched Reluctance Machine

“…For SRM drives, several power electronic converters have been proposed [23]. Many of the applications are based on two-level converters [24][25][26][27][28]. Through the use of these, topologies two voltage levels will be generated, allowing for the magnetization or demagnetization of the machine windings.…”

Performance Improvement of a Switched Reluctance Motor and Drive System Designed for an Electric Motorcycle

“…It presents many advantages, opportunities, and challenges over the other type of electric motors for electric vehicle applications. Various structures and winding configurations of the SRM as well as various driving topologies have been reported [4]. It has been widely studied and installed for traction drives in various hybrid [5][6][7] and electric vehicles, including bicycles [8], forklifts [9], and light electric vehicles [10].…”

Performance Investigation of Switched Reluctance Motor Driven by Quasi-Z-Source Integrated Multiport Converter with Different Switching Algorithms

“…Switched reluctance machines (SRMs) are gaining attention for their utility in many applications, including renewable energy systems such as wind, wave and tidal energy systems, and electric vehicle (EV) drive systems [1][2][3][4]. This is due to their simple structure: both the stator and rotor are formed from salient poles, and neither permanent magnets nor conductors are required on the rotor.…”

“…Furthermore, SRMs use the concentrated type of stator winding. This simple structure offers many advantages, including a low manufacturing cost, rapid acceleration, robust operation under high-speed and high-temperature conditions, and fault-tolerant capability [3][4][5][6].…”