Adaptive control of variable reluctance motors using spline functions

Considers the model-reference adaptive control of a variable reluctance motor (VRM) for low-speed, high-torque operation. the authors use spline functions to model the VRM characteristic relating electric torque to rotor angular position and winding current. This model leads to a simple, computationally efficient, adaptive controller. The authors also incorporate “torque sharing functions” to smooth the electronic commutation between windings and to increase the peak torque available in the closed-loop (compared with “hard” commutation). The authors provide simulation results for a three-phase VRM that illustrate the design and performance of the adaptive controller