Modelling of a new winding arrangement to improve performance in the switched reluctance motor

This paper describes the analysis of a switched reluctance motor in which the windings are arranged to provide short flux path excitation. This winding arrangement decreases the current required to establish the flux in the airgap, thus improving the efficiency of the motor. The paper provides some insight into modelling of switched reluctance motors with two phases simultaneously energised, as this is fundamental to the operation of the proposed machine. Finite element analysis was used to model the performance of a prototype machine configured for long or short flux path excitation. Computer predictions show good agreement with test results and indicate the improvements in performance offered by the new winding configuration