Switched reluctance motor commutation using its magnetisation characteristics

Sensorless rotor position detection of switched reluctance (SR) motor has attracted a lot attention in an effort to overcome problems associated with and limitations imposed by the use of a physical position sensor for its control. Most detection schemes advocated so far utilise magnetisation characteristics of the motor of either the normal excitation or that introduced for the purpose of position detection. The effort being directed at achieving varying degree of accuracy and robustness to suit desired application economically while reliability remaining core to every method. This paper present a method developed to control commutation of SR motors using the inductance profile of the stator windings. The method is based on 8-bit processor in an effort to minimise the cost of the detector. The developed scheme was tested successfully online. The paper concentrates on effective and reliable ways of generating commutation using diagnostic signals.