A new diagnostic technique for real-time diagnosis of power converter faults in switched reluctance motor drives

Accurate fault identification allows the adoption of procedures that minimize the fault impact on the machines operation. Switched reluctance motors (SRMs) have been recognized for their fault-tolerant capabilities and they present a very robust configuration, particularly due to the absence of windings or magnets in the rotor. All these attributes make the SRM a competitive solution for aircraft and automotive applications, where systems reliability is a crucial feature. Therefore, in this paper, a new algorithm for real-time diagnosis of power converter faults in SRM drives is proposed. In contrast to other methods that use additional sensors or devices, the presented technique uses the measured phase currents only, which are already available for the drive control. The proposed algorithm effectively detects the inverter faulty phase and is capable to localize the faulty power switch. Power switch open-and short-circuit fault occurrences in an asymmetric full-bridge converter are considered and analyzed.