Fault-Tolerant Multilevel Converter to Feed a Switched Reluctance Machine

The switched reluctance machine (SRM) is one of the most interesting machines, being adopted for many applications. However, this machine requires a power electronic converter that usually is the most fragile element of the system. Thus, in order to ensure high reliability for this system, it is fundamental to design a power electronic converter with fault-tolerant capability. In this context, a new solution is proposed to give this capability to the system. This converter was designed with the purpose to ensure fault-tolerant capability to two types of switch faults, namely open- and short-circuit. Moreover, apart from this feature, the proposed topology is characterized by a multilevel operation that allows improvement of the performance of the SRM, taking into consideration a wide speed range. Although the proposed solution is presented for an 8/6 SRM, it can be used for other configurations. The operation of the proposed topology will be described for the two modes, fault-tolerant and normal operation. Another aspect that is addressed in this paper is the proposal of fault detection and diagnosis method for this fault-tolerant inverter. It was specifically developed for a multilevel SRM drive. The theoretical assumptions will be verified through two different types of tests, firstly by simulation and secondly by experiments with a laboratory prototype.

SRM with 8/6 magnetic system topology for electric drive of mine battery electric locomotives: design and modelling

The paper deals with the development and simulation results of the switched reluctance motor for electric drive of mine battery electric locomotives instead of the DRT-14 DC motor. The switched reluctance motor parameters are obtained based on numerical calculation of the magnetic field by QuickField program and are embedded in MATLAB/Simulink model of a switched reluctance motor created for 8/6 magnetic system configuration. SRM-14-615 has the mechanical characteristics as DC motor DRT-14 and meets the required operating modes as part of the AM8D mine battery electric locomotive. Also two types of models using methods and techniques of the artificial intelligence theory are presented: a model with a fuzzy control system in the Fuzzy Logic Toolbox package and a model with a neural network control system in the Neural Network Toolbox package.

Investigation of Torque Performance and Flux Reversal Reduction of a Three-Phase 12/8 Switched Reluctance Motor Based on Winding Arrangement

The goal of this paper is to present a comparative analysis of two types of winding arrangements for a three-phase 12/8 switched reluctance motor (SRM), where short- and fully-pitched winding arrangements under unipolar operation are considered. From the analytical results, the short-pitched winding has the best torque per copper weight ratio. The core loss based on counting the number of flux reversals in the stator yoke for each winding arrangement is also proposed and mentioned. To reduce the magnetic flux reversals in the stator core, changing the direction of the magnetic flux path by modifying the winding polarities of the short-pitched winding could reduce 10–13% of core loss compared to the conventional winding. A 1 kW, 12/8 SRM prototype for the ventilation fan application is constructed and tested in order to verify the design consideration of winding configuration. At the rated condition, a maximum efficiency around 82.5% could be achieved.

SIMULATION OF TROLLEBUS STEERING SYSTEM WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING BASED ON ROLLING ROTOR SWITCHED RELUCTANCE MOTOR

The analysis of power steering which used on modern rolling stock is carried out. Their main shortcomings are identified. Given the requirements for the steering of trolleybuses, a solution to increase its efficiency is proposed. Based on the developed mathematical model and functional diagrams of the trolleybus steering system with a electric power steering based on rolling rotor switched reluctance motor, a simulation model of trolleybus steering was created using the Matlab Simulink package. The peculiarity of the simulation model is taking into account the mass and size characteristics of the rolling stock, the parameters of the suspension of the steered axle, the impact of the road surface and the speed of the trolleybus, changes in the parameters of the electric motor magnetic system during operation. The rolling rotor switched reluctance motor which is offered for use as the electric power steering of the LAZ E183D1 trolleybus is calculated. The calculation of the magnetic system of the engine by the finite element method with the subsequent approximation of the obtained results is carried out. With the help of the developed simulation model the simulation of the trolleybus steering system with electric power steering based on rolling rotor switched reluctance motor was performed. Time diagrams of transients in the trolleybus steering system are obtained and their processing and analysis are carried out.