Magnetic circuit model and finite-element analysis of a modular switched reluctance machine with E-core stators and multi-layer common rotors

This study presents a novel switched reluctance machine (SRM) with modular E-core stators and multi-layer common rotors for high reliability applications. The stator is composed of six independent modular E-cores with the windings wound around the yoke of the E-cores. The rotor consists of three magnetically independent common rotors which are place in the same shaft without any angular shift. The equivalent magnetic circuit (EMC) models of this new SRM at the aligned and unaligned positions are described. To evaluate the motor performance, two types of analysis, namely, approximate simplified two-dimensional (2D) model and 3D model finite-element analysis (FEA) have been utilised. The 2D FEA static and dynamic results are compared with 3D FEA results. Furthermore, comparisons between the novel modular SRM and a conventional 6/4 SRM are made. Finally, a prototype of this modular SRM has been fabricated and tested in the laboratory. Comparison between FEA and EMC analysis for flux linkage are made and compared with measured characteristics. The simulated and measured phase currents and average torque are also presented and compared to verify the analytical and simulation results.