Experimental Validation of a Switched Reluctance Machine Operating in Continuous-Conduction Mode

This paper presents an innovative torque control strategy for a switched reluctance machine (SRM) operating in continuous-conduction mode (CCM). The proposed strategy was first designed to control the torque in discontinuous-conduction mode and then extended to operate in CCM as well. With CCM, the torque can be increased at high speed without modifying the number of turns, the source voltage, or the converter; it is achieved through the control. Reviews of past control strategies, as well as the principle of this mode and its influence on the machine performance, are presented. The advantages and drawbacks of the proposed strategy are outlined. In particular, the power and torque densities of the SRM are improved so that this machine becomes comparable with ac machines without the drawback of field weakening. A new control law has been studied and implemented; simulation and experimental results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control.