Self-bearing switched reluctance motor: A review

A switched reluctance motor is a variable speed motor in which switching of current results in the production of torque and power. Due to the doubly salient structure of switched reluctance motor high acoustic noises and vibrations are produced along with torque ripple. In order to overcome these hindrances bearing-less switched reluctance motor was introduced as a solution to this problem. The motoring action of a switched reluctance motor can be combined with a magnetic bearing action to get a single unit called self-bearing switched reluctance motor. It is an electromagnetic device that has the capability of supporting the rotor on its own, generating magnetic forces by the windings on its stator. This paper presents an extensive literature survey on self-bearing switched reluctance motor and its recent developments including its various purposes in industrial applications. Details of its working principle, design methodologies, winding designs, control strategies and some prototype developments have been studied and presented.