Modal and electromagnetic analysis of the switched reluctance motor

The paper investigates different stator configurations of the switched reluctance motor (SRM) in order to mitigate the electromagnetically-exited audible noise and vibrations. Natural frequencies of different SRM stator configurations are analyzed by virtue of the modal analysis theory. A three-dimensional numerical model of the SRM stator geometry is set up by using the finite element method. The magnetic flux and surface force distribution, responsible for the mechanical vibrations giving rise to an electromagnetically-exited audible noise are calculated and analyzed. Based on the investigation results, the paper proposes a solution on how to select an appropriate stator configuration in order to increase its natural frequencies beyond the resonant operational frequency and, thus, to mitigate the resulting audible noise and vibration.