A new split source type converter for SRM drives

This paper describes a new split source-type power converter topology for switched reluctance motor drives. The new converter topology consists of 2 DC link capacitors, 6 switches and 6 diodes with 2 switches and 2 diodes added to a conventional split source power converter to drive an 8/6 pole SRM. The main advantage of the proposed converter is fast suppression of the tail current in the phase-winding, hence resulting in the minimization of negative torque using doubly boosted voltage in the demagnetizing mode. The control characteristics of the proposed converter is compared with those of the asymmetric bridge power converter that is widely used. Through laboratory experiments, the proposed power converter has shown higher efficiency and more output power than any other counterpart under heavy load conditions and/or in high-speed operation