A Novel 3-D Flux Structure for Switched Reluctance Machines

Abstract

Switched Reluctance Machines (SRMs) receive considerable attention from industry and academia over the past few decades. SRMs are generally inexpensive, reliable, and mechanically robust when compared to other types of electrical machines. Design of magnetic configurationfor SRMs is a prevalent topic in the literatures. The focus of these design practices can be categorized into boosting average torque, torque pulsation mitigation, loss reduction (copper loss, windage loss, core loss), vibration suppression, and acoustic noise suppression to name a few. The present dissertation proposes a novel 3-D flux structure containing both radial and axial flux structures. The step-by-step design procedure and the background reasoning are discussed in detail. The illustrations and reasoning in this study highly relies on 3D finite element analysis (FEA) and magnetostatic measurements. Through multiple revisions and optimizations, a prototype of the proposed machine is chosen and fabricated to verify the claims. Besides switched reluctance machine, the proposed 3D concept can be used in other types of electric machinery.