Characteristics Assessment and Comparative Study of a Segmented-Stator Permanent-Magnet Hybrid-Excitation SRM Drive With High-Torque Capability

Hybrid-excitation switched reluctance motors (HESRMs) have attracted considerable attention for various drive applications due to their simple structure, low cost, and hightorque/ power capabilities. This paper comprehensively evaluates and compares a high-torque segmented-stator HESRM drive with a conventional SRM drive in terms of static magnetic and dynamic performances. The stator of the segmented HESRM consists of six individual U-shaped segments; each one has two teeth associated with a permanent magnet (PM) installed between them. The static magnetic characteristics of a segmented HESRM and a conventional SRM, including flux distribution, phase flux linkage, electromagnetic torque, are analyzed and compared. The total fluxes created by the PM and by the excited current are strongly coupled. The details of mathematical model as well as dynamic performances of the segmented HESRM is derived and compared with the conventional SRM. Finally, a segmented HESRM and a conventional SRM of the same size are prototyped for experimental verification. From the comparative study, it is indicated that the segmented HESRM has better characteristics than the conventional SRM, such as less iron consumption, higher static and dynamic average torque production, lower torque ripple, higher power and torque densities, higher efficiency, and stronger starting capability. The measured results of static magnetic characteristic, steady-state and transient performances, and torque-speed characteristic of two SRM drives verify the finite-element analysis, modeling, and corresponding predictions.